Joe Hart has backed Gareth Barry as the right man to captain England against Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
England goalkeeper salutes City team-mate
Joe Hart has backed Gareth Barry as the right man to captain England against Spain at Wembley on Saturday in the expected absence of regular skipper John Terry.
Goalkeeper Hart knows all about the midfielder's qualities as the pair are team-mates for both Manchester City and the Three Lions.
Barry appears the obvious candidate for the armband if Frank Lampard - no longer a regular starter - is not named in the line-up against the World Cup winners, with Terry set to be rested as Fabio Capello runs the rule over his squad.
The man
When asked if Barry would be an ideal captain, Hart said: "Gareth's the man, simple as that; someone I look up to. If you spoke to anyone who knew the guy, they would say the same.
"He does as you should and leads by example, no messing around; a very good performer every week, who never moans.
"Not a lot seems to go wrong for him, so he is always the guy you can look to.
"When you start to panic, look at Gareth and he just keeps on doing what he is doing - and doing the unselfish role he does."
Barry, 30, does not always receive the kind of plaudits given to other players.
But Hart claimed: "However he is rated, I don't think he cares because all the people around him, who know him, rate him, know what a massive role he plays at our club on and off the field.
"I think he does the same for England sides. We know who and what he is."
Rooney
Hart also believes England will cope with the absence of Wayne Rooney who has been omitted after his sending-off against Montenegro which means he is set to miss the opening three games of Euro 2012.
He said: "Wayne has missed squads before. It's not like he's got a specific seat at the table where no-one else is allowed to sit.
"He is a great player, one of the world's greatest when he's in top form, but if he's not allowed to play then he's not allowed to play, it's as simple as that.
