Kit fits as Rio and Stevie G head back to school with Fabio

And, in true back-to-school fashion, Rio and Co have a satchel full of new kit in which to impress new headmaster Fabio Capello. The red strip, which bears an unfamiliar blue stripe across the chest, will never be worn at a major tournament because it will be replaced before the 2010 World Cup finals.

The Italian takes charge of his first match as England coach on Wednesday, when Switzerland visit Wembley. And Ferdinand is enjoying his first taste of life under the Italian, and his backroom staff - despite team-mate Steven Gerrard hinting that Capello may prove to be a hard task master.

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The Manchester United centre half said: "It's like going to a new school - to a secondary from primary. You're intrigued, excited - all those things are bubbling under and you want to see the new ideas and methods he has got.

"We're all like schoolkids, sucking up all the information he's got in a bid to make us a better team.

"We had a session this morning which went very well and was very enjoyable.

"We were put through our paces and are looking forward to the next one.

"Inevitably there is going to be a difference - there are different cultures and hopefully we can get a good blend.

"But the new manager has new ideas and hopefully the knowledge and success he has achieved can make us a successful team.

"People are expecting too much in terms of massive change - but football's quite a simple game if you stick to the basics.

"We haven't been successful so we are open to any new ideas of the manager and will implement them in the game."

Ferdinand believes Capello has not had any problems getting his message across, despite initial concerns about how well he spoke English.

The former West Ham and Leeds star cadded: "I've been pleasantly surprised.

"He's talked to us as a team on and off the training ground in English and was very good.

"He's very observant and puts his point across when he needs to. He knows what he wants and he puts it across very, very well."

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The Liverpool captain Gerrard, who is widely tipped to lead out the side against Switzerland at Wembley on Wednesday in John Terry's absence, said: "Different managers have different ideas and rules. It takes time to adapt and I'm sure we will do in time but the first 24 hours have been good."

The news will hearten supporters of the national side, who criticised previous boss Steve McClaren for being too matey with members of his squad. "I don't think as a footballer you are scared of any manager but you have to respect them and you have to adapt to what the main man wants," added Gerrard.

"You want to impress the manager. No one is guaranteed a starting place so we have to use these friendlies to impress.

"It is also a chance to get back to winning matches."

In Terry's absence Gerrard has emerged as the front-runner to be captain and although Capello will reveal tomorrow who will wear the armband, the Italian has stressed he will not make a decision on a permanent skipper for a while.

Gerrard has led out his country before and would relish the opportunity to do so again.

"Of course it would be a great honour. We have to respect the fact John Terry is still our captain. He is not involved so we will have to wait and see who the manager will go with," said the Liverpool skipper.

"But until he makes that decision I don't want to say too much."

Gerrard also stressed the players wanted to erase the memories of their disappointing Euro 2008 qualifying campaign as quickly as possible.

"It was disappointing not to qualify for the summer's tournament but we have to look to the future and that future is to get back to winning matches and to be a real attacking force going forward," he added.

"We know we have the players capable of being successful. We are still slightly shocked from missing out on the summer but we have to forget about it and try to concentrate on getting the team right for the World Cup qualifiers."

On Capello's decision not to select the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham for what would have been his 100th cap, Gerrard said: "I'm sure once he is back playing on a regular basis he can convince the manager to pick him.

"Everyone is talking about the 99 caps - David has to get back playing football and I'm sure the 100th cap will come.

"He (Capello) makes the decisions and all the other players go along with it."