Capello - I owe Gerrard

Fabio Capello has admitted Steven Gerrard effectively kept him in the England hot-seat after the World Cup.

All eyes will be on the Liverpool midfielder on Tuesday evening as he takes to the Wembley pitch without the captain's armband after Rio Ferdinand was restored to the role for the Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro.

In Ferdinand's injury-enforced absence, Gerrard has grown into the role and scored a match-winning brace against Hungary in August before impressing against Bulgaria and Switzerland in England's last two Group G fixtures.

And the Italian has confessed he is indebted to Gerrard for his contribution since the South Africa shambles and is hoping the 30-year-old can continue to show his rich vein of form in international colours.

Asked if he accepted the Reds skipper had saved his job, Capello said: "Yes. Yes. Yes.

"But I think he's a really good player, a really good man, and he will be really important for us in every moment.

"I think he will play every game the same as against Hungary."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.