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Shock as Rio is named England skipper

England skipper
By Chris,
March 25 2008
Rio Ferdinand has been named as England captain for Wednesday’s friendly against France. The news has shocked many pundits with the likes of John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and even David Beckham all tipped to get the armband ahead of United's towering centre-half. Ferdinand will collect his 66th cap in Paris as England continue the Fabio Capello era with a difficult match against France.

Ferdinand will be delighted with the news - though Capello is yet to decide on who is permanent skipper will be for England games.

The game is expected to mark David Beckham's 100th cap for England. The former Manchester United man has brushed off the media frenzy about his 'century' and hopes to stay in the squad on merit as he continues the celebrity lifestyle in Los Angeles.

The full England squad for Wednesday's friendly is as follows:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United - capt), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Joleon Lescott (Everton), John Terry (Chelsea), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (AstonVilla), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)

Forwards: Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

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