IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane believes that an under-fire John Terry needs people's support, rather than just condemnation.Terry is set to face Fabio Capello today, in a meeting that will determine whether he remains England captain.

Carl Marston

IPSWICH Town boss Roy Keane believes that an under-fire John Terry needs people's support, rather than just condemnation.

Terry is set to face Fabio Capello today, in a meeting that will determine whether he remains England captain.

The Chelsea defender's position within England boss Capello's squad has been the subject of intense scrutiny since a gagging order that prevented details being reported of an alleged affair with the former girlfriend of Wayne Bridge was lifted last Friday.

“I'm in no position to comment about anyone personal's life,” insisted Keane.

“When you been in the public eye like I've been in for the last 10 or 15 years, then when you make mistakes it's easy to kick a man when he'd down.

“If you think I'm going to do that today, then I certainly won't.

“You certainly remember the bits of support. I remember getting hammered a few years ago. I must have kicked someone or it might have been about my book, and even one or two of my team-mates had a word to say, and I certainly wasn't happy with them.

“But you remember the people that supported you and sometimes a player like John Terry needs that more than anyone else. We all make mistakes. There's no halo over my head.

“But you have to be very careful when you're in the public eye.

“I don't know how Capello works, and I don't know how his mindset is.

“But you don't have to wear the armband to be a captain. I think the captain of England seems to be a bigger issue than it really is. You should have three or four captains in your team. It's really, really exaggerated,” added Keane.

As yet, none of the parties involved has made any public statement on the matter beyond the FA's declaration that Capello would have the final say.

The only member of the England coaching team who has put his head above the parapet so far, Stuart Pearce, used the phrase “witch-hunt” and appeared to link it with the situation Terry currently finds himself in.

If Capello comes to the same conclusion, Terry will remain in his post.