England go into their two international games in the next 10 days without their captain Wayne Rooney. As always the wearer of the armband has become an obsession with us all but Southgate sounds ready to name the heir to 'Wazza's' throne.
Wayne Rooney was first named captain of an England team in 2009 but didn't become the full time captain of the international team until after the World Cup in 2014 when Steven Gerrard stepped down after the shambles in Brazil.
Things have gone as well for Rooney as they did for Gerrard as far as international tournaments have been concerned with his England side crashing out embarrassingly to Iceland in the Euros last summer.
The Manchester United captain isn't picked for England's fixtures next week, against Germany and Lithuania, because of injury and it's likely his time as captain could be coming to an end.
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According to the Sun Harry Kane is winning the race to be the next skipper. Speaking about the subject the England manager gave Kane a ringing endorsement:
"He's [Harry Kane] a very determined, single-minded individual, completely dedicated to improving and is having another outstanding season.
"It's his third season of playing at a very high level and getting high numbers of goals. I've not been able to pick him yet but it looks good for him, Tottenham and England."
Former England under 21 boss Southgate also talked up Adam Lallana, Chris Smalling and surprisingly Raheem Sterling adding, "Lallana has definitely impressed me as an individual. Smalling is captaining Man United at the moment.
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"But there are others that talk up well in meetings. Raheem has impressed me with how willing he has been to contribute in with a view of things."
As well as Rooney the England team find themselves without usual stand in captain Jordan Henderson and potential Rooney replacement Harry Kane for the next two matches.
It's uncertain who England will pick to wear the armband in the two matches but I find myself wondering why does it matter?
Inevitably England will qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer and as inevitable is the team underperforming, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the team from Escape to Victory could play and it would still be the same!
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