John Terry has been made England's permanent captain for a third time after being forgiven by Fabio Capello for his off-the-field behaviour.
Capello revealed at a Wembley media briefing that the Chelsea skipper will replace Rio Ferdinand as skipper - starting with next Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff.
But he has been unable to communicate the news personally to Ferdinand with Capello claiming the Manchester United defender "preferred not to meet me" at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Terry was initially appointed England skipper by Steve McClaren in August 2006 and then Capello reinstated him in August 2008 after initially experimenting with different players in the role.
He stripped Terry of the honour 13 months ago after an alleged affair with a former girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
But Capello has decided Terry has served a sufficient punishment after describing him as the "biggest personality" in the England dressing room and a "leader".
The way the armband was passed around from player to player after Frank Lampard, captain for last month's friendly in Denmark, was substituted was also a factor for Capello.
He said: "I decided John Terry would be the captain for this game (against Wales) because, after the game in Copenhagen, the way the armband was moved around was upsetting for him.
"Also, I said my decision would be the day before the (Wales) game because I wanted to speak with the players, I wanted to speak with John Terry.
"I also knew the England doctors spoke with the doctors of Manchester United and Liverpool and I knew that Rio and Steven Gerrard were injured.
"But I have decided that John Terry, after one year of punishment, will again be the permanent captain. I think one year's punishment is enough.
"He was my first choice when I (initially) decided on the permanent captain."
Capello added: "John also, when he played without the armband, was everytime a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room. He was really good every time.
"I have been impressed with John in the 12 months he was not captain.
"Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader.
"This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room."
Capello believes Terry will have learnt from his alleged off-the-field indiscretions and is confident he will have the support of the dressing room.
He said: ""Sometimes the leader can make mistakes - not only him but I, you, all the people.
"It is not a risk making Terry captain again. He understood the mistake and he learnt from his mistakes and all the people learn from mistakes.
"He will be a very important captain for us because when I choose him, I know he is a leader.
"I also think the players will be happy. I think so. They respect John Terry as a leader, absolutely."
Capello will give the reasons behind his decision when the England players meet up at their Hertfordshire base on Monday to prepare for the game with Gary Speed's side.
Ferdinand will revert to his previous role as vice-captain when he recovers from injury with Gerrard, also ruled out of the Wales clash, next in line to wear the armband.
Capello had been keen to speak to Ferdinand when at United for the Champions League clash with Marseille but the meeting never took place.
He said: "I tried to meet Rio at the Manchester United game.
"I hope I will meet him in the future to speak with him personally and privately, not by phone because I think by phone is not so good.
"He was ready to meet me but he preferred not to meet us. I don't know why. It is a question for him, not me.
"I was ready, I wanted to speak with him and explain my decision.
"I hope he will be fit to play for the national team because he is one of the most important people with his experience and value as a player.
"I spoke with Steven and it is no problem for him and he told me he wants to be fit to play the next Euro game against Switzerland.
"The most important thing for him is to return to playing on a weekly basis after the operation."
