England players back Terry

England players have publicly backed reinstated captain John Terry ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on Saturday.

As England look to regain the lead in qualifying Group G with a win over Wales at Millenium Stadium, much of the pre-match talk has been about Fabio Capello’s decision to hand Terry the captain’s armband, just over a year since stripping the Chelsea defender of the honour.The decision reportedly sparked a backlash within the squad, but Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry and several other players have thrown their support behind Terry.”I think that now the decision has been made, the lads have been really comfortable with it,” Barry said. “We obviously feel for Rio (Ferdinand) and the unfortunate timing of the injuries he’s had since he’s been given the England captaincy.””We felt that he would have done a great job for England, but the injuries have come at a bad time, Now that it’s been changed, the players are comfortable and respect the decision.”Barry Manchester City team-mate James Milner dismissed media reports suggesting the decision, had divided the squad.”Obviously, the manager’s made the decision (on the captaincy) and everyone’s happy for JT (John Terry),” Milner said.”As an England player he’s been absolutely fantastic. I think that’s the most important thing, as a team, whoever’s captain, whoever’s got the armband, that we’re all as one, and we go out there to win matches as one unit.”Terry is expected to partner Phil Jagielka in defence on Friday, and the Everton centre-back has insisted it will be an honour to play alongside the three-time Premier-League-winning captain.”The likelihood of you playing alongside the person you have played alongside a lot of times does not happen very often,” Jagielka said.”If I do manage to get a game against Wales, I will be delighted if JT is next to me.”However, Jagielka he did admit playing alongside a new partner in central defence could be a challenge.”A little bit, obviously with not playing much with JT (John Terry) or Daws (Michael Dawson) before. I have got to play quite a lot with Joleon (Lescott) at Everton.