Captain Terry 14-1 to lead England to glory.

Byline: By Mark Langdon

JOHN TERRY'S first reign as England captain ended in disaster as the Three Lions failed to qualify for Euro 2008, but Fabio Capello has surprisingly decided to give the robust centre-back another chance and Skybet go 14-1 about him lifting the World Cup in 2010.

Rio Ferdinand had been expected to be named skipper ahead of tonight's friendly against Czech Republic at Wembley, but those who lumped on the 2-5 shot were stunned when 9-4 poke Terry was given the armband.

"We pulled the market at 10.30am because that's when Capello was reportedly informing the squad of his decision, but the morning money was for Ferdinand," said a chuffed Steve Freeth of Bet365.

Ladbrokes's Nick Weinberg agreed that Terry was the popular choice in their office. He said: "We laid plenty of Ferdinand before we closed our book."

Terry will be hoping his second stint as skipper is more successful, although he is only 3-1 with Paddy Power to lose the job when the 2010 World Cup finals begin in South Africa.

Ladbrokes rate JT a 25-1 shot to reach 100 caps - he will make his 45th appearance tonight - and Skybet are 5-6 that the Londoner leads the team out in at least another 22 internationals.

In the short term, all eyes will be on Terry against the Czechs and he is 5-6 with Hills to help England to a clean sheet, while Paddy Power rate him 11-1 to score at any time.

Capello has admitted he wants more goals from the rest of his team as he struggles to find the right attacking formula and that has led Totesport to open a market on which player notches most during World Cup qualifying.

Michael Owen, who is not fit tonight, has not been Mr Popular with Capello, but he is still 5-2 favourite with Wayne Rooney next in the market at 11-4.

"People keep writing off Michael Owen, but he is England's best goalscorer at international level and we are convinced that Capello will eventually turn to him," said Totesport's Paul Petrie.

VC have focused on the other end of the pitch, betting on which goalkeeper makes most starts in qualifying. Current No. 1 David James is 2-5 with possible No. 2 Joe Hart an eye-catching 50-1.

Bet365 - J Terry performance tonight: 8 booked, 25 concede penalty, 100 red card; J Terry to be sent off in 2010 World Cup qualifying: 1-12 no, 6 yes; to score most goals: 1-2 J Terry, 6-4 R Ferdinand; to get most bookings: 8-11 J Terry, Evs R Ferdinand.

Blue Square - empty seats tonight: 5-6 under 20,000, 5-6 over 20,000; J Terry performance tonight: 4 subbed, 12 score in England win, 12 score header, 80 score twice.

Boylesports - J Terry to be captain at 2010 World Cup: 4-9 yes, 13-8 no.

Hills - 2010 World Cup qualifiers with J Terry as captain: 11-8 ten, 4-6 seven to nine, 8 four to six, 33 three or fewer.

Ladbrokes - England to qualify for 2010 World Cup: 2-7 yes, 5-2 no.

Paddy Power - J Terry performance tonight: 11 score, 20 score first England goal, 66 score own goal, red card.

Skybet - J Terry games as England captain (14 so far): 5-6 under 35.5, 5-6 over 35.5; Terry to score in 2010 World Cup qualifying: 4-11 no, 2 yes; booked in qualifying: 1-2 yes, 6-4 no.

Totesport - England's top goalscorer in World Cup qualification: 5-2 M Owen, 11-4 W Rooney, 5 J Defoe, 11-2 D Ashton, F Lampard, 13-2 S Gerrard, 8 T Walcott, 9 E Heskey, 10 J Cole, 14 G Agbonlahor, 18 G Barry, 20 D Bentley, others on request.

VC - to start most World Cup qualifiers: 2-5 D James, 5-2 P Robinson, 10 S Carson, 14 R Green, 25 C Kirkland, 33 B Foster, 50 J Hart, others on request.

CAPTION(S):

Wayne Rooney could start on the right for England this evening