 RAFA Benitez today backed Liverpool’s Captain Fantastic Steven Gerrard as the man to skipper his country. Speculation is rife that national team boss Fabio Capello is about to take the captaincy off Gerrard after just one game – but the Reds boss believes that would be a mistake. He said: “Steven has captained England before and he has shown he can do the job well so I am surprised that there is talk that he might not be captain in England’s next game. “It is not up to me to make the decision and Capello is lucky because he has some very good candidates for captain but if he was to ask me I would tell him that Steven is the right man.” England take on France in Paris next week and Capello is reported to be considering offering the captain’s arm band to either Chelsea’s John Terry or Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry. Though an admirer of both players, Benitez is backing Gerrard – who led England in Capello’s first game in charge against Switzerland – for the job. “Terry and Barry are both good players and good captains for their clubs so they are good options for England,” he said. “But I see Steven every day, in matches and in training, so I know what he brings to Liverpool and that is why I think he would be the right man. “If you think back to Istanbul and the FA Cup final against West Ham in Cardiff you will remember how inspirational he can be as captain.” Benitez’s distaste for some elements of international football is well known, particularly when it comes to losing several of his players for meaningless friendlies just days before crucial Premier League games. But even though he concedes that if Gerrard was to become England captain on a permanent basis it would add to his workload, the Reds boss would still be happy for him to do the job. “It would mean more duties and responsibilities for Steven, we know that,” he said. “But it would also be a big honour for him so everyone at Liverpool would be very happy for him if he was given the role.” England squad: (will be trimmed to 23 on Saturday evening) Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan). Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham), Woodgate (Middlesbrough). Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jenas (Spurs), Hargreaves (Man Utd), J Cole (Chelsea), Young (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Bentley (Blackburn). Strikers: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Portsmouth). Kewell: I can save my Liverpool career >>> | 
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