Steven Gerrard has been handed the captaincy for Fabio Capello's first match as England manager. The Liverpool midfielder will lead out the side for the friendly international with Switzerland at Wembley tomorrow night.

Gerrard has been made skipper in the absence of the injured Chelsea defender John Terry who had been appointed by Capello's predecessor Steve McClaren.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was also thought to be in contention to be Capello's on the field lieutenant against the Swiss.

Capello said: "I have just informed my team before coming to see you that tomorrow's captain against Switzerland will be Steven Gerrard.

"I have done it because I think he is an important player for England, according to my plans. He will be captain for this match."

But Capello will not name a permanent England captain until after the Andorra match in September.

Capello added: "He's not going to be our permanent captain — I'm not going to name the permanent captain before the Andorra match."