Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane to go head to head for England armband

JORDAN HENDERSON will go head to head with Harry Kane for the England captaincy.

Posted Wednesday, August 30, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Tottenham star Harry Kane and Liverpool ace Jordan Henderson want the England armband

Boss Gareth Southgate is assessing his options when it comes to picking a permanent skipper.

Southgate is on the look out for a long-term replacement for Wayne Rooney, who announced his international retirement last week.

Kane led the Three Lions into battle against Scotland at Hampden Park in June and is desperate to take the armband full-time.

But Liverpool midfielder Henderson is also keen to become the next permanent captain after impressing in the role since Southgate became boss.

Joe Hart and Gary Cahill have also captained England in the last 12 months but Henderson and Kane now look to be in a straight fight to land one of the biggest honours in English sport.

Henderson has shone since being made Liverpool captain and yesterday made no secret of his desire to lead his country too.

"Listen, it's a massive honour," he said. "When Gareth gave me the opportunity to captain for the first time, in November, it was a huge honour for me.

"Looking at Harry when he captained the squad, it was a huge honour for him too. Joe has done it and Gary's done it.

"There's a lot of lads in the team that have done it and that can do it so, like I say, it's totally down to the manager and what he feels is right for him and the team.

"If you ask a lot of the lads in the dressing room, they'll feel as though they're ready to lead this team.

"Of course I'm no different, but whoever it is, it's up to the manager at the end of the day, and whoever gets it the lads I'm sure will be right behind that person."

England face Malta on Friday in a World Cup qualifier and Slovakia on Monday.

The Liverpool star added: "The manager doesn't really want to give it to anyone at the minute, he wants to sort of mix and match and bring leaders through.

"I think it's just about finding the right captain for him really, and for this team, to lead, and that's totally his decision to be fair.

"I feel as though I'm ready, but whoever gets it we'll be right behind them and, for me, it will not change the way I am in this team. I'll do everything I can to help in my role."