Former England manager Sir Bobby Robson has insisted yesterday's fiery clash between title challengers Chelsea and Manchester United should not affect John Terry's and Rio Ferdinand's bids to be national team captain.

The pair - who along with Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are thought to be in the frame to claim the England armband for the long term when coach Fabio Capello makes his decision in August - were involved in angry exchanges at Stamford Bridge.

Ferdinand in particular appeared to lose his cool towards the end of United's 2-1 defeat and is reported to have apologised to a female Chelsea steward he accidentally kicked in a fit of rage after the final whistle.

But rather than condemn the experienced defenders, who have both skippered their country in recent months, Robson believes they showed the passion necessary to make a success of the captain's job.

"The sight of those two towering leaders, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, squaring up to each other illustrated to me the passion and endeavour of both players," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"As a former England manager, I would tell Fabio Capello not to be concerned at all with the brief shoving between them. It shows their desire to win and, when they wear the white of England together, they will be a formidable partnership.

"Ironically, they are regarded as the main candidates to be Capello's England captain. I think they showed yesterday that either one of them will do the job rather well."

More news from SportingLife.com