Defiant John Terry to Continue After Fabio Capello Intervention

Chelsea defender John Terry will not quit international football, according to The Times, after Fabio Capello's public backing of the much maligned and recently deposed England captain appeared to have the desired effect.

The aforementioned source claims the 31-year-old, who was stripped of the England captaincy on Friday in a decision that has alienated the Italian from his employers at the Football Association, has decided against retiring from international football immediately. However, his decision will be heavily determined on whether or not Capello includes him in his next squad for the friendly against Holland later this month.

The Times suggests Capello is likely to include the Chelsea stalwart for the game at Wembley on 29 February as long as Terry is fit, and although patently irked by his treatment at the hands of the FA, the defender is likely to accept the call.

Matt Hughes of the Times claims Terry has been heartened by Capello's public backing, even though the Italian's decision has been widely derided both of its stance and timing.

On Sunday night Capello lambasted the FA's decision in an interview with an Italian television station, claiming the defender was innocent until proven guilty.

Terry became the first England footballer to lose the captaincy on two separate occasions on Friday, when in a brief telephone conversation with David Bernstein, the FA chairman, resulted in the defender's second deposition.

Although Capello's subsequent criticism of the role has been mostly questioned, the Italian received support from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson believes Capello is entitled and correct to have an opinion on the matter and suggests the manager must always hold the power in any organisation.

"There's nothing wrong with having an opinion." The Manchester United boss told The BBC.

"I think what will happen in the next few days is there will have to be a coming together of the FA hierarchy and Fabio Capello because he's the team manager, he has the importance of that position.

"Without question the most important person at a football club is the manager."