Frank Lampard has confirmed reports that he will be England's new vice-captain in the wake of Steven Gerrard's promotion to England skipper.
Fabio Capello has handed the Chelsea man the responsibility and Lampard says he is proud to assume the role.
"I am vice-captain," Lampard told journalists at a press conference.
"I was told by the manager and Franco Baldini [Capello's assistant] yesterday and I am very proud of that.
"Obviously I am very disappointed for Rio. He is a mate.
"But what can I do? I shall just try to give my input as a vice-captain."
Lampard came through the ranks at West Ham United with Rio Ferdinand and as a close friend stressed his deep sympathies for the Manchester United defender.
"I am very disappointed for him to say the least," said Lampard.
"I spoke to him last night and he is obviously very down.
"He is such a good mate and for this to happen in the build-up to the biggest tournament made me feel sick in my stomach."
And personal sympathies aside Lampard knows that England can ill-afford to do without such an important player.
"We will miss him first and foremost on the pitch because of the quality he has on the pitch, he is one of the best centre-backs in the world," he continued.
"He has always had that bubbly character and we will miss that character."
Nonetheless Lampard insists that sympathy for Ferdinand will only increase England’s team unity and backed Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson to thrive as a replacement.
"It is natural for everyone in the camp to feel disappointed for Rio but when we trained today it was at full pelt," he said.
"Dawson has turned up now and he is the sort of lad that fully deserves the call-up for the season he has had.
"We can use it [Ferdinand's injury], yes, as a little bit of extra bonding. We have lost a big player but we all have to get together."
Fabio Capello has handed the Chelsea man the responsibility and Lampard says he is proud to assume the role.
"I am vice-captain," Lampard told journalists at a press conference.
"I was told by the manager and Franco Baldini [Capello's assistant] yesterday and I am very proud of that.
"Obviously I am very disappointed for Rio. He is a mate.
"But what can I do? I shall just try to give my input as a vice-captain."
Lampard came through the ranks at West Ham United with Rio Ferdinand and as a close friend stressed his deep sympathies for the Manchester United defender.
"I am very disappointed for him to say the least," said Lampard.
"I spoke to him last night and he is obviously very down.
"He is such a good mate and for this to happen in the build-up to the biggest tournament made me feel sick in my stomach."
And personal sympathies aside Lampard knows that England can ill-afford to do without such an important player.
"We will miss him first and foremost on the pitch because of the quality he has on the pitch, he is one of the best centre-backs in the world," he continued.
"He has always had that bubbly character and we will miss that character."
Nonetheless Lampard insists that sympathy for Ferdinand will only increase England’s team unity and backed Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson to thrive as a replacement.
"It is natural for everyone in the camp to feel disappointed for Rio but when we trained today it was at full pelt," he said.
"Dawson has turned up now and he is the sort of lad that fully deserves the call-up for the season he has had.
"We can use it [Ferdinand's injury], yes, as a little bit of extra bonding. We have lost a big player but we all have to get together."
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