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Fabio Capello admits he is facing a quandary over who should captain England, with John Terry in the frame to recapture the armband.
The ongoing injury troubles suffered by national skipper Rio Ferdinand have forced Capello to consider his options.
He is due to meet with the Manchester United defender on Tuesday to discuss the situation, as the Red Devils face Marseille in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League.
With Ferdinand set to sit out England's upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on 26th March with a calf problem, his standing has come under threat.
Missing the clash in Cardiff will mean the United centre-half has figured just four times for his country since inheriting the armband from Terry in February 2010.
Capello acknowledges that he needs to make a decisive call regarding the captaincy, with Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, his second in command, also set to be sidelined against Wales.
Conversation
"First of all I want to know what happened with Rio's back and when he will be fit because he is a really important player for us," said the Italian coach.
"After that I will explain what I am going to do in the next week, if I will decide on a new captain or about John Terry or something else.
"Why will it be a difficult conversation? It is not because he is not a good captain.
"I will explain what happened in Denmark and what I think. I would understand if he is not happy. But I am the manager. I have to take decisions."
What happened in Denmark was that, with Ferdinand and Gerrard missing again, Frank Lampard led the team out, before Gareth Barry and Ashley Cole took it in turns to don the armband.
Terry, who was relieved of the honour last year, was understandably frustrated at having been overlooked and Capello admits now may be the time to return the Chelsea captain to the head of the queue.
Upset
"I don't want to pass the captain's armband around," said the national boss.
"I was really upset about what happened in Denmark, when I saw the players saying who is the captain?
"After one year of punishment, it was not the best moment for John Terry to see this. For that reason I need to make a decision - and it will be a permanent decision, not just one game."
While a decision needs to be made on who will lead England in the immediate future, Capello believes Jack Wilshere is a man capable of taking the armband at some stage.
The Arsenal midfielder has only two senior caps to his name at present, but has offered enough during his short domestic and international career to suggest that he is destined for the very top.
"Jack Wilshere is the best young midfielder I have seen for his age," Capello said on the 19-year-old.
"He will be England captain one day. He needs more caps but he is a real leader."