Monday 28 March 2016 16:27, UK
James Milner will captain England against the Netherlands in Tuesday night's friendly at Wembley.
Milner, who has been capped 57 times by England, made his international debut against the same opposition in a 2-2 draw at the Amsterdam Arena in 2009.
The Liverpool midfielder was an unused substitute in the 3-2 victory over Germany at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, but the Football Association announced on Monday afternoon that Milner will captain England for the first time on Tuesday.
"It's great he has the opportunity to play tomorrow and to do it as captain of his country," manager Roy Hodgson told reporters while sitting next to Milner during a press conference at England's team hotel.
"There's no doubt that he's versatile. We were speaking the other day and James gave me a long list of positions he has played.
"As far as I'm concerned we've always known that James is a very good midfield player in central areas, capable of playing wide but also central areas.
"The way we're trying to play at the moment and the way that Liverpool play, that's right up his street.
"That's the type of football he plays and it's great he has got the opportunity tomorrow to play in a position he is very comfortable in - but also to do it as captain of his country."
Asked what it meant to him, Milner replied: "Everything. Growing up, you're desperate to put on that England shirt. You're scoring goals for England in your back garden.
"To get the chance to lead your country out is a massive honour and something you'll never forget."
Hodgson was coy on Danny Drinkwater's chances of playing on Tuesday night, with the England boss only prepared to say the in-form Leicester midfielder "might" play.
But one man who will return to the starting line-up is Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, having missed the whole of England's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign due to a succession of injuries.
"There will be some changes, how wholesale those will be you'll have to wait and see," Hodgson added.
"As you can see James is with me and he will captain the team tomorrow. He didn't play against Germany so that's one obvious change.
"A guy like Daniel Sturridge will come into the team on this occasion, we're pleased to welcome him back after his long lay-off at least from England duty.
"The other changes, we'll have to wait and see and I'd prefer not to dwell on that side of things."
Asked if Sturridge was looking sharp in training, Hodgson replied: "He is. He and Danny Welbeck have returned from such long-term injuries, the next six weeks or so are important times for them as well.
"They have to build up their fitness in terms of endurance, both have come back sharp so that is very positive.
"It is great that we are going to give Daniel a chance to show what he can do in an England shirt, he has always been keen to get back and show he deserves to be in the shirt and what better chance than against such opposition at Wembley?"
