England boss Capello flies in for Terry showdown

England boss Fabio Capello arrived back in Britain yesterday to face the storm over his team captain's alleged affair with an underwear model.

Capello flew in for an anticipated showdown amid calls for John Terry to be sacked as the national team's skipper.

Terry has so far made no announcement regarding his future, which was cast in doubt following claims that he had a liaison with the ex-partner of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Capello flew into London's Heathrow Airport at lunchtime from Switzerland, where he has been recovering from a knee operation. He is expected to meet Terry today.

The English FA has made clear that Capello alone will decide the 29-year-old Chelsea defender's fate.

Terry's spokesman Phil Hall said on Wednesday: "John Terry asked me to make it clear that he has made absolutely no statement about his future as England captain.

"He is keeping his own counsel until he speaks to England manager Fabio Capello and then Mr Capello will decide what announcement will be made."

Captain's role

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has joined the clamour over Terry, claiming that revelations surrounding the England captain's private life will impact on the national team dressing room.

Calls for the defender to be stripped of the captaincy have been criticised as a "witch hunt" by England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce, one of Capello's assistants in the senior squad.

But Martinez said there would be an obvious consequence of Terry's situation. When asked if issues off the pitch should have an effect on it, the Spaniard said: "In a way, yes.

"As a captain you represent a group of individuals and if that (off-field issues) affects the respect the other individuals have in you it is going to have an effect.

"That is down to the manager and players to make that decision. Only Fabio Capello, John Terry and the players know that relationship.

"But when you have such a public role you are going to be affected by it.

"Being a captain is a very intense role and is something which has no margin for error because the role you have on the pitch, in your football club, is more important than your private life."