Terry vows to grow in stature

John Terry has vowed to take his own game "to another level" after being named new England captain in succession to David Beckham.

Terry grew in stature after being appointed skipper of Chelsea and has led them to successive Premier League titles. Now the 25-year-old wants to become an even better player after being given the armband in preference to the other major candidate, Liverpool's Steve Gerrard, by new England coach Steve McClaren.

Terry said: "I am always looking to step up and improve and I think I did that once I got the Chelsea armband and I'm excited about taking it to another level with England."

He added: "I think of the 28-29 games I've played, I've done okay but it is time now for me to step up and really take it to another level."

Terry will welcome input from his team-mates in his role as successor to Beckham who quit as captain the day after England's World Cup quarter-final exit again Portugal in Gelsenkirchen.

He said: "One thing we have, which is very key to the England squad, is a great bunch of lads. The team spirit is great. There are many captains throughout the squad.

"I'm going to need their support and opinions on many things over the coming years and I'll be looking very much to their input and their opinions.

"I'll learn and take bits off the great captains I've played with like Becks and at club level and hopefully I can make a great captain for England.

"I've got responsibilities at Chelsea as captain. I understand that the responsibilities at England are even higher and I'm willing to take that on."

Terry admitted England grossly under-achieved in Germany in reaching only the last eight after there was a belief in the squad they could go all the way in the tournament.