Fabio Capello has been left with the daunting task of replacing John Terry as England captain ahead of Euro 2012.
The national manager is reportedly furious at having his hands tied by the FA, who stripped Terry of the job pending the outcome of his trial in July on a charge of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, which Terry denies.
Capello's position has always been that the skipper is innocent until proved guilty and that he should have the final say on all team matters.
It is reportedly "likely" that the manager will still field Terry during Euro 2012.
However, the most pressing question for the squad is his replacement as captain.
Steven Gerrard is the most likely choice but he has spent 2011 dogged by injury and has not played for England since 2010.
Vice Captain Rio Ferdinand has ruled himself out - angered at being stripped of the role himself without warning last year, Wayne Rooney faces a two-match ban, and Ashley Cole has said he does not want the armband.
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart is a possibility, but has never captained a team before, Tottenham's Scott Parker is inexperienced, and Frank Lampard's starting position is in doubt.
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