Captaincy not an issue - Milner

James Milner
12 April 2012

England midfielder James Milner has declared it is business as usual as the team try to put the debate over John Terry's reinstatement as captain behind them.

Terry has taken over the captain's armband again from the injured Rio Ferdinand, the Chelsea defender having lost the job last year following newspaper reports about his private life. But since coach Fabio Capello announced the reinstatement of Terry, the debate has taken the focus away from England's European Championship qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

"(It's) just business as usual, the manager's made the decision," said Milner. "Everyone's happy for JT. It's obviously disappointing for Rio. We're fortunate to have a number of leaders in this squad."

Milner said Terry's attitude on the pitch made him a natural as England captain.

He added: "He puts his head in where a lot of people wouldn't. He leads off the field as well. The manager makes his decision and we stand behind them. JT is a leader, he might not have been captain over the last year but he's not changed the way he has been.

"The most important thing is leading on and off the field and as an England player he's been absolutely fantastic."

Tottenham striker Peter Crouch admitted the focus had been on Terry returning as captain.

"There was a lot of talk about it. There are no problems with anyone," he said. "There was a lot of talk over unrest, but it was not an issue at all. John Terry has always been fantastic on the pitch, has led Chelsea to doubles.

"He's a great leader on the pitch and will be again for England. The manager likes defenders to be the captain and John has done it for so long. He's been at Chelsea for years and has been captain for a long, long time.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve and tries to bring out the best in all others around him, which is why he is such a leader. All the players are happy."

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