Hargreaves is backing his England mate Terry

Penalty shoot-out rivals in Moscow just six days ago, Hargreaves backed the Chelsea captain to overcome the bitter disappointment he felt in defeat against Manchester United in the Champions League Final.

"John is a strong character and he'll get over this," insisted the versatile United midfield player. "It's something he'll learn from."

Terry, determined to win back the England captaincy, knew that an inspirational performance in front of Capello in Moscow might convince the England coach of his suitability for the job.

Scoring his penalty would have delivered Chelsea's first European Cup but, instead, Terry's miss became the defining moment of the final and gave United the chance to lift the trophy.

"John understands the game," said Hargreaves. "He knew that any player who stepped up on that occasion might easily be the hero and just as easily might miss. It takes a lot of courage to step up. It's a shame, but some people miss. I don't think it changes the way you are as a person or as a player.

"No one doubts he'll get over this. It's a shame because he put so much into the game. He's a great leader. I don't think it's something he'll get down about. The initial disappointment would have been difficult for him but he'll be even stronger because of the experience. Just because he missed a penalty doesn't change anything about him as either a player or person."

Inconsolable after the match, Terry's four days with the England squad in their luxury hotel in Watford has helped him come to terms with the biggest disappointment of his career.

From a psychological point of view, Capello may consider this the right time to give him the armband for tomorrow's Wembley friendly against the USA. Steven Gerrard was his first captain, against Switzerland, Rio Ferdinand his second, against France.

The Italian coach has said that he will give two more players a chance to demonstrate their leadership skills - against the USA and in Trinidad on Sunday - before finalising his captain for the World Cup qualifying campaign that begins next season.

Hargreaves said: "There are several individuals who could be captain - John, of course, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand who's just had a tremendous season.

"Everyone wants to do their best for the new manager. He's been like a breath of fresh air for all of us.

"Every manager wants to do things differently, but Fabio Capello has the aura of a big coach. He's similar to Sir Alex Ferguson in that respect.

"Players at this level have big personalities and managers need to find a way to get their attention and respect. Sir Alex and Fabio do that perfectly."

Hargreaves insisted that no ill-feeling exists between the United and Chelsea players.

"The United players are on a high and the Chelsea players are a bit disappointed, but we are all professional enough to put that aside," he said.

"The final has gone and we are a team for England now. We are focusing on the two games with England. We are not focusing on what happened a week ago.

"Everyone is friends. We have known each other a long time. We have spent so much time together at major tournaments. There is a lot of mutual respect. I'm sure it is not easy for Chelsea to forget what happened but they have done a fabulous job this week of not letting anything really get to them and I admire them for that."

The current get-together in the Hertfordshire countryside is the longest period Capello has had with the players since taking over from Steve McClaren six months ago.

"I think it's an exciting time for England," added Hargreaves. "It's a time to learn from the mistakes of the past and prepare for the next qualifying campaign. Our failure to qualify last time was disappointing but this is a new era.

"It will be difficult to watch the European Championship and not be involved. But I don't look back. I am already looking forward to next season. I'll have plenty of time to reflect on the past with a glass of wine when I stop playing."

Hargreaves, a substitute in Capello's first match - a 2-1 win over Switzerland - was in the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat against France in Paris in March. "It's a pity for me that the season is about to finish because for the first time I feel really good physically," he said.

He did admit, though, that he felt ill after the Champions League Final.

"I don't think I'd eaten enough before the match," he said. "I was so cold at the end I had to spend an hour in the shower to warm up."