DECLAN RICE has been named England skipper for the first time for the visit of Belgium.
Regular Three Lions captain Harry Kane will miss Tuesday night’s match at Wembley due to injury.
Kyle Walker captained Gareth Southgate’s troops for their 1-0 defeat to Brazil last Saturday.
The Manchester City defender didn’t complete the full 90 minutes against the Samba Boys, hobbling off with an injury of his own.
And his injury has prompted Southgate to give the captain’s armband to Arsenal midfielder Rice for the visit of the Red Devils.
Southgate announced his skipper for the match in this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, in which Rice admitted the honour has blown him away.
The £105million man said: “I’m speechless, to be honest with you. I’m absolutely lost for words.
“When he said to me last night that I was going to be captain, I gave him a hug and shook his hand and said, ‘Thank you very much.’
“I owe him a lot. Since I’ve come into the team, he’s always made me feel at home.
“I’ve always felt comfortable playing under him and I’m really growing in confidence.”
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Rice, 25, will be given the armband on his 50th cap for his country.
He continued: “On my 50th cap too, to walk out at Wembley in front of my family and friends, it’s an absolute honour.”
Southgate had no hesitation about giving the armband to the former West Ham man, who he reckons is a natural-born leader.
He said: “Declan is here, it’s his 50th cap. He has great leadership experience already at a tender age.
“And I think it’s a brilliant opportunity for some of our young players to show leadership and to experience that with some of our core group – Kane [Kieran] Trippier, Walker and [Harry] Maguire – not with us.
“So there is a different feel around the group, a different dynamic and that’s a great opportunity for other people to step up and lead and to grow.
“And that’s important because a lot of players involved with the squad now, they’re the future for the team for the mid and long-term.
“And the more of those experiences they can have that’s helpful for everybody.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
