Fans call on John Terry to quit England captaincy but players back him

Pressure was growing today on John Terry to quit as England captain following his alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend.

Internet message boards were flooded with complaints that the Football Association has not already acted and stripped the Chelsea player of the captain's armband. The barrage of criticism comes as members of the current England squad rallied behind their beleaguered captain.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney have all said they would be reluctant to take on the captain's armband should it be removed from Terry, pictured right.

He may learn his fate on Friday after team manager Fabio Capello returns to London from Switzerland where he is recovering from knee surgery.

The FA stress a decision on Terry's captaincy will be made on "footballing grounds" and that the England manager will not be hurried into his next move.

However Capello, who spoke to FA chairman Lord Triesman and chief executive Ian Whatmore yesterday, is said to be keen to act ahead of next month's England friendly against Egypt to prevent lasting damage to team morale.

Speaking from Switzerland Capello said: "I know everything. I can't say anything at the moment but I will be back in London on Thursday." But many fans appear to have already made up their minds.

One told the BBC Sport website: "Leadership requires many skills. Two of those skills are trust and loyalty. Terry by doing what he has done has shown a lack of both. He should step down but I doubt he would even consider it."

Another told Sky: "Judas Terry should have (already) lost the captaincy. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney deserve it."