Manchester City’s Joe Hart Flattered by England Captaincy Association

Manchester City star Joe Hart admits he is 'flattered' to be associated with the vacant England captaincy but concedes there are a number of more suitable candidates.

Following the recent deposition of John Terry on Friday, which has seemingly caused a divide between Fabio Capello and his employers at the Football Association, a number of names have been linked with the now vacant armband, including the aforementioned Manchester City custodian.

The 24-year-old's form for club and country this season suggests the Manchester City goalkeeper is a certainty to start the European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine, and he admits talk of his suitability to the role recently vacated by Terry gives him immense pride.

"I am flattered to be linked with it but anyone who's having a consistent run in the England side is being linked with it," Hart told the Manchester Evening News.

"There are a lot stronger candidates than me.

"I don't have a view on who should be captain. As long as I'm playing I don't care.

"I have got a really important season with games for Manchester City and hopefully a couple for England coming up.

"That is all I am concentrating on at the moment."

While Tottenham's Scott Parker and Manchester City's Gareth Barry have also been linked with the role, Hart will definitely start in goal for Fabio Capello's side, while the others aforementioned are perhaps not guaranteed of their starting berths.

That being said, Parker has been in superb form for Tottenham and England all season and would seem a hugely credible alternative to Terry, and although Barry has found himself in an out of the international setup of late, the injury to Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has perhaps offered him a direct route to the EURO 2012 starting 11.

Parker and Barry both have the necessary experience are in good form for their respective clubs, but Hart's rapid emergence in the last two years have led some to champion the Manchester City star as arguably the finest goalkeeper in Europe and his assurance and authority would certainly provide England with some stability amid the latest captaincy fiasco.

Who do you think should replace John Terry as the next captain of England? Leave your answers in the comments section below.