CAPELLO WARNING TO CAPTAIN TERRY

JOHN TERRY must come clean with Fabio Capello to save himself from being stripped of the England captaincy.

The Chelsea skipper has been told he has to tell the truth about the explosive sex scandal which shattered his friendship with England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

If Terry misleads England coach Capello over his affair with Bridge's former partner, lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, his position as captain will be untenable.

England's general manager Franco Baldini will speak with Terry face to face early this week and senior FA management are expecting a full explanation.

The FA refused to comment last night but Terry is under intense pressure to resign. However, Capello wants to hear his version of events before deciding whether to sack him.The Italian will not be impressed when he learns that members of the England squad are sending messages of support with the sign-off "Team BRIDGE".

Bridge has refused to accept Terry's calls and it means the skipper will be walking a tightrope as he attempts to negotiate the most difficult phase of his career.

Capello will also take soundings from the influential FA board over Terry's future, but chief executive Ian Watmore accepts that the ultimate decision rests with the Italian boss.

Capello returns to England on Thursday for discussions with Baldini over Terry's future role with the national team.

They will want the full facts before reaching a decision, but may even be in a position to make an announcement on Terry's future within 48 hours of that meeting.

The England chief's stance has shifted since he was first made aware of the affair with Bridge's former girlfriend, who is also the mother of the Manchester City defender's young son.

At first, Capello was relaxed when informed of the breakdown between Terry and Bridge and wanted to wait until the England squad meet up in March for a friendly with Egypt before making a decision on the captaincy and Terry's future.

But he is becoming increasingly concerned his captain is tarnishing the team's image and could wreck morale ahead of the World Cup this summer.

Capello has dealt with similar situations before when he was coach at Roma and also when he bossed Real Madrid.

Capello managed to retrieve the situation, although one source in Rome yesterday revealed that "it got very lively" between the players involved.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who was skipper for the first time against Brazil last November, is in Capello's thoughts as a potential replacement.