Rio Ferdinand has hailed Roy Keane as the perfect captain as he prepares to skipper England for the first time in tonight's friendly international with France in Paris.

Ferdinand has first-hand knowledge of Keane's leadership skills at Manchester United before he made the switch to management with Sunderland.

Now the central defender will lead out Fabio Capello's side at the Stade de France as the Italian continued his policy of rotating the captain's armband.

Ferdinand said: "Roy Keane was a fantastic captain. He led by example and played ever so well, getting marks of seven, eight or nine out of 10 every game.

"He was a man amongst men and, if questions need to be answered he was normally the first or second person to do that. He was a great captain and symbolic of Manchester United.

"Now for me to get the captaincy for my country is a dream come true and this is the biggest honour I've ever had.

"Of course, winning titles is unbelievable as well but I don't think you can compare the two to be honest. This is a great honour in itself.

"How many people are named as England captain? Not many and to be named alongside list of illustrious players is a great achievement in itself.

"I'll be wearing that armband with as much pride as anyone in the past."

Ferdinand is aware he will have his detractors because of past misdemeanours including failing to attend a drugs test at United's training ground four years ago which resulted in an eight month ban.

He said: "I think everyone goes through ups and downs, not only in their careers but in their lives. It is how you come out of those situations that is important.

"Do you learn, do you take things on board and use it to your advantage in whichever way you can? I feel I've applied myself in the right manner whenever a situation has gone against me - and I will continue to do that.

"What do I say to people who say I shouldn't be captain? The easiest way to say it is the past is the past. People move on in their lives and mature, step up to the plate and become better people for having been through those situations.

"If someone does something wrong in their life, do you shut the door on them totally? I don't think that is the right way.

"I am sure this manager hasn't looked into the past and taken things in the past into account. He sees what he sees in the present and he deems me the man at the moment to wear the armband."

Ferdinand is aware of the threat that could be posed by Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka tonight.

He said: "Anelka is a top player. I have always said that since I was at West Ham and he was at Arsenal. I think his goal record speaks for itself.

"Wherever he has been, he has scored goals, even for teams not in the top four. His game has changed a bit to when at Arsenal when he used to run in behind looking for through balls.

"Now he comes deep as well. He does a bit of both. he has got a great strike on him and someone we will have to be aware of."