Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is favourite to lead England at the World Cup finals next year.

Wayne Rooney is the current England captain, but his future is far from certain making it unlikely he will still be involved when it comes to the finals next year.

In Gareth Southgate’s first game as permanent manager, he handed the armband to Cahill in Germany on Wednesday.

Now bookmakers believe the Chelsea man is in line to take the armband when the Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign in Russia next summer.

Gary Cahill hits out at FA bosses for fixture carnage ahead of England's 1-0 defeat to Germany https://t.co/D1F5fWtTGM pic.twitter.com/wn82SLaO9d

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) March 22, 2017

BetVictor Spokesperson Jack Milner: “Cahill is our 13/8 favourite to lead England out in their opening group game of next year’s World Cup however, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson looks a big price at 8/1 having captained the side in November’s 2-2 draw with Spain at Wembley.”

We asked our Football Insider Graeme Bailey for his view on the next captain and he said: “I don’t think we can rule out Wayne Rooney just yet, much will depend on what he does next this summer.

“But you have to agree with the bookmakers, I would think Cahill and Henderson are the leading contenders, but for me I would say Dele Alli would be a good outside bet.”