As Ferdinand is not going to be involved in Manchester United's Champions League encounter with Marseille, he may well end up sitting somewhere near Capello in the directors' box.

His calf injury will also rule him out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 26, which goes right to the nub of the problem.

For, with Steven Gerrard already a confirmed absentee following a hernia operation, Capello needs a leader.

It is exactly the same situation he found himself in last month when first Frank Lampard, then Gareth Barry and finally Ashley Cole took the armband, even though former skipper John Terry was on the field throughout.

Although his own views on the captaincy are that it should automatically go to the player with the most caps, Capello is aware of the status attached to the role in England.

And as he watched the honour diminish in front of him at the Parken Stadium, Capello resolved to give the matter greater consideration, to the extent that Terry could now get the job back, for Cardiff and beyond.

"I don't want to pass the captain's armband around," said Capello.

"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."

Although a formal announcement will not be made until the pre-match press conference 24 hours before the Wales encounter, mirroring the manner Terry's appointment was handled prior to a friendly with the Czech Republic in August 2008, it is difficult to see what other conclusion can be reached other than Terry getting his old job back.

Capello is not convinced by Lampard and does not view Wayne Rooney as a viable candidate either, believing the Manchester United star is too combustible to be entrusted with the role, no matter how valuable his overall contribution to the Three Lions cause.

Indeed, Jack Wilshere is viewed as more plausible captaincy material, although at 19 is considered far too young and inexperienced despite his startling elevation in Capello's eyes.

The England coach intends to discuss the matter with his squad next week before making a final decision.

But Ferdinand, who has featured just four times since getting the captain's job and saw the role at United given to Nemanja Vidic because of his fitness problems, should be steeling himself for the worst when the pair speak at Old Trafford.

"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 Capello.

"After that I will explain to him what really happened and 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."

Capello insists his deliberating should not be seen as a weakness, questioning whether those present would have preferred the information to be filtered out through the Football Association press office.

However, a year after summoning Terry to Wembley to tell him his much-publicised off-field problems had cost him the job he covets the most, it appears the Chelsea man is about to get it back.

Capello has even forgiven the challenge to his authority Terry appeared to make during his candid press conference at the World Cup.

"I sacked him because I am old," laughed Capello.

"He was England captain, he is the Chelsea captain. He is also one of the most important players in the world.

"John Terry is old enough to understand the really important rule. Journalists are always looking for something. Little things are made into really big ones."

One suspects in Ferdinand's world, this will be a pretty big one as well.