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Terry 'proud and honoured' to return as captain

John Terry insists he has never had a problem with England manager Fabio Capello © Getty Images

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• Profile: John Terry

Chelsea talisman John Terry says he feels "honoured and proud" to be asked to captain England once again.

Terry was returned the armband by Three Lions coach Fabio Capello over the weekend, after seeing it confiscated from him for a little over a year after allegations about his personal life. And the 30-year-old maintains he never gave up the belief that he would eventually be given the captaincy again - as he will now marshall the side against Wales this weekend in their Euro 2012 qualifier.

"I'm honoured and proud. I never stopped hoping I'd lead my country again," Terry told The Sun. "Anyone who ever asks me about Fabio, I can only say good things about him. I've always done whatever the manager needs of me to make sure we win.

"Beating Wales is the most important thing as it's a massive game. I moved on very quickly from the decision about losing the captaincy and I've never fallen out with the manager. But I've never given up hope that I will captain England again."

Terry inherits the armband from Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who is reportedly unhappy he was not informed of the decision prior to its leaking to the press. The Chelsea centre-back has had his own disagreements with Capello in the past - suggesting after the recent friendly against Denmark that he felt unfairly embarrassed as the armband was passed between his team-mates - but now maintains he has always had a great working relationship with the Italian.

"Anyone who ever asks me about Fabio, I can only say good words about him and that's the truth, regardless of what people might hear," Terry said. "People look at what's happened between us and think there must be trouble but there isn't.

"I'd mentioned how the armband was passed around and I felt it was unfair but against Denmark I felt fine because Fabio told me before the game I wasn't going to get it whatever happened.

"I appreciated that so much that he told me beforehand."

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