Terry welcomes Scolari appointment

LONDON, Apr 28 (Reuters) Defender John Terry would welcome Luiz Felipe Scolari as England coach after his Portuguese team mates at Chelsea sang the Brazilian's praises and told him they would enjoy working together.

The FA have offered Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and who has coached Portugal since, their top job starting after Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves following this year's tournament in Germany.

''I spoke to Riccy (Ricardo Carvalho) and Paulo (Ferreira) yesterday and they said what a good coach he was and what a great man-manager he is,'' Terry told a news conference today. ''They said we'd really enjoy ourselves with him.'' Terry, who as Chelsea captain hopes to lift the Premier League trophy at home to Manchester United tomorrow, is a regular in Eriksson's central defence and has been touted as the next England captain after David Beckham.

With a captain's diplomacy Terry added that while Scolari had great experience any one of the five or six names suggested for the England job ''would be great for England''.

Scolari has yet officially to accept the post.

Terry said the England players' main focus was not the new manager but the World Cup under Eriksson.

''For the players the main thing is that Mr Eriksson is in charge. We're in with a great chance...the players are very much united with one thing on their minds and that's to win.'' REUTERS PDS BD2209