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Terry receives support from Capello's assistant
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-04 11:05

LONDON: John Terry's hopes of keeping the England captaincy were boosted on Wednesday after he was supported by an assistant to coach Fabio Capello.

Terry receives support from Capello's assistant
Chelsea's John Terry (2nd L) reacts after Didier Drogba (unseen) scored during their English Premier League soccer match against Hull City in Hull, northern England February 2, 2010. [Agencies]
Terry receives support from Capello's assistant

Stuart Pearce, who also coaches the under-21 team, is the first member of the England coaching setup to support Terry in the wake of his sex scandal.

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The 29-year-old Chelsea defender's position has been called into question following reports the married father of twins had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former teammate Wayne Bridge.

Pearce strongly defended the player's importance to England ahead of the World Cup.

"John Terry is a fantastic captain, in footballing terms on and off the pitch I think he is a selfless professional and his form is fantastic for his country," Pearce said.

"So I'm not a big lover of witch hunts of people which I'm afraid our country tends to follow a little bit these days."

No public announcement on Terry's position is likely to be made before he meets later this week with Capello, who has been entrusted by the Football Association with making the final decision.