Heartache, a new captain and some dodgy knee's; the World Cup is here

Well England’s captains armband has fallen to yet another incumbent, the third in the last few months. Steven Gerrard now holds the nations expectations on his shoulders following John Terry’s libido losing him the privilege and now the pain felt by Rio Ferdinand who after suffering a knee injury yesterday must sit out the whole World Cup.

Almost all England fans feel Rio's heartache, losing him is a gutting blow not just for him personally but to the team’s chances of progressing beyond the quarter finals of the competition. Anyone who says they are glad Ferdinand will be missing the tournament should remember that although his likely replacement Ledley King is an excellent defender, his own personal injury woes mean he is unlikely to last the full month.

I couldn’t believe it yesterday when the news came through about the training ground injury he picked up from an Emile Heskey tackle; at first I thought it was some kind of wind up TV prank show fronted by Heskey that sought revenge for Ferdinand’s antics prior to the last tournament. However instead of being “murked”, Ferdinand was instead well and truly “’miled” by the Aston Villa front man.

Heskey’s involvement in the incident sparked the usual anti-Heskey brigade to come out in force with comments like “it had to be Heskey", "that's what you get for taking a lump like that" and most brilliantly "Darren Bent wouldn't have done that". As I said yesterday, some people really make me laugh.

England’s defence may now have to become heavily rotated machine in order to succeed. The likes of Jamie Carragher, Matthew Upson and the arriving Michael Dawson may all have a part to play in helping to cover the backline. A lot depends on Gareth Barry’s fitness and how quickly he is ready to resume his holding role in the midfield after his ankle problem.

While he is out, Lampard and Gerrard look set to resume their unsanctimonious midfielder marriage centrally, which could lead to Fabio Capello opting for the more defensive option of Carragher at right back in order to keep the defence tight without any natural midfielder cover.

If Ledley suffers with those chronically poor knees of his then England may be relying on Dawson or Upson to step up and show what they can do on the world stage. With the plaudits that have been heaped on Dawson’s ever increasing maturity as a defender this season it must have only been Upson’s far greater international experience that has kept him in the squad.

However now that they are both battling it out on the training fields of Rustenburg to be the first choice cover for King it could well be a flip of a coin as to who gets the nod if required. The headache caused by Ferdinand’s injury must now make this particularly delicate balancing act the most important of Fabio Capello’s career.

As for Gerrard as captain, I definitely feel now we have the people’s skipper. His leadership qualities and performances on the pitch in keeping Liverpool in top four contention and European competition in seasons beyond this past one has shown he is able to at times carry those around him.

Last season wasn’t the best for Gerrard but the undoubted boost the armband will give him could really reignite his game. I’m certainly expecting him to make his position in his new role indespensible by showing some of the best examples of a skipper leading by example since Beckham single handedly took England through to the World Cup back in 2002.

One man I was delighted to see make the squad was Joe Cole. One of the most consistent performers whenever he has pulled on the three lions in the past it would’ve bean a huge loss if he made not made the final 23. We would’ve definitely lacked his natural flair and experience if he had been omitted; and in my opinion the partnership with his namesake Ashley if selected down England’s left will be vital to England’s progression in the tournament.

For next week’s opener against the USA I will hopefully be rolling in winnings after a day out at York Races. Let’s pray there will be no more injury shocks before then with a well drilled starting eleven ready to embark on the beginning of a full month’s stint in South Africa. Although I remain quietly hopeful of making at least the semi finals, given the loss of Ferdinand I think even if I win big on the horses next weekend I still won't be brave enough to be putting my money on England just yet.