FA silent on John Terry's future as England captain

Terry, who was made captain in 2006, has skippered his country 28 times

The Football Association has declined to comment on the future of John Terry as England captain in the wake of allegations over his private life.

Terry has been named in the media as allegedly having an affair with the ex-girlfriend of his former Chelsea and England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Newspaper reports claim Terry, 29, may be stripped of the England captaincy only four months before the World Cup.

But an FA spokesman told BBC Sport: "We have no comment to make."

Terry had won a gagging order last week preventing the public learning about an alleged affair, but the injunction was lifted by the High Court on Friday.

And national newspapers named the father-of-two, who is married to Toni Poole, in their Saturday editions as having a relationship with model Vanessa Perroncel, 28.

Terry scored the winner in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Bolton on Saturday and after the match manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he would remain club captain.

England's next match is a friendly against Egypt at Wembley on 3 March, and it is unlikely coach Fabio Capello will discuss Terry's position before then.

Terry captaincy in doubt - Lawrenson

Terry is set go to South Africa as captain, while Bridge, who now plays for Manchester City, is also likely to be selected in Capello's squad as understudy to another former Chelsea team-mate, Ashley Cole.

Bridge, 29, has not played since early December when he was injured playing against Chelsea.

In a statement issued by his lawyer, the left-back said: "I have read the press reporting in the last two days. The reports deal with matters which are of a deeply personal and private nature.

"My primary concern is the welfare of my son. Therefore, I intend to make no comment whatsoever either now or in the future about these reports and ask that my privacy is respected."

BBC Sport understands Capello, who is currently out of the country, is aware of the situation and will make any decision over Terry's future as England captain.

But speaking on Saturday's Football Focus on BBC One, former England defenders Lee Dixon and Martin Keown suggested Terry will not be captain by the time the World Cup comes around.

Keown said: "Terry is a big, big player, but these indiscretions really need to be dealt with by Capello. He is a great disciplinarian and I think this is a chance for him to show that."

Dixon added: 'The big question is if it's not Terry then who will it be? If Rio Ferdinand doesn't make it through injury, then that's up for grabs as well."

Meanwhile, celebrity publicist Max Clifford told the BBC the episode was potentially damaging for Terry's commercial endorsements, but he believed football supporters would not object to his private conduct as long as he was playing well.

Terry, who has earned 59 caps for his country and succeeded David Beckham as England captain in August 2006, successfully led England to this year's World Cup finals after finishing top of their qualification group.

And despite the weekend's headlines, Terry scored the winner in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Burnley on Saturday evening.

Manchester United defender Ferdinand is currently England's vice-captain.