JON Harley insists friend and former team-mate John Terry will prove England's inspirational figure as they chase World Cup glory.

Sven Goran Eriksson's men take their next step to ending a 40-year wait for football's ultimate prize tomorrow afternoon when they face Ecuador in the last 16 in Stuttgart.

Much of England's progress will rest on the shoulders of Chelsea captain Terry, whose group-stage performances in Germany stood out among the best for his country.

The influential centre-back is viewed as one of world's best by Burnley left-back Harley, who broke through the Stamford Bridge ranks at the same time as Terry.

And Harley reckons it will not be too long before the 25-year-old replaces David Beckham as England skipper.

"Personally, I cannot think of any better defenders in the world than John," said Harley, 26, the current Clarets' Player of the Year.

"Some people say he's a good defender but not as good on the ball as somebody like Rio Ferdinand.

"But technically, he's as good as anyone and can spray 50 or 60-yard passes without any problem.

"I think he's got it all. He gets a lot of praise but even still, I don't think he gets enough.

"Maybe he's not the quickest. You get defenders who have good pace, but they tend to over-rely on that.

"John has not necessarily got the pace, but you don't see many people knocking it past him and coming out on top.

"He's intelligent and knows exactly where to be at the right time."

Harley added: "Personally, I can't see it being too long before he gets the England captaincy.

"Nobody knows how long David Beckham will be playing for England. But when he's gone, there's not too many better players than John who would be captain. He's a leader."

Harley believes Terry's influence will be felt by his Three Lions colleagues tomorrow, on the pitch and in the dressing room before the 4pm kick-off.

He added: "John will get the England players ready - that's the type of lad he is. He will try to gee everybody up before a big game."

Together with Terry and Jody Morris, Maidstone-born Harley, who joined Burnley from Sheffield United last summer, graduated through Chelsea's YTS scheme.

He made his debut against Derby County in April 1998, while Terry made his senior bow six months later.

As young Blues apprentices, both had duties to clean the boots of Chelsea's top professionals. While Terry took care of Dennis Wise's footwear, Harley tended to those worn by current Clarets captain Frank Sinclair.

"At Christmas, all the professionals usually gave the young Chelsea lads a gift," said Harley. "Frank asked me if I wanted money or a tracksuit.

"I said I'll have a tracksuit, but he never turned up with it, even though he promised. I keep reminding him of that now, 10 years on!"