Gerrard steps in as England captain
Steven Gerrard was today appointed England captain for the Euro 2004 warm-up friendly against Sweden in Gothenburg tomorrow night.
The Liverpool skipper, 23, will pull on the national team armband on the night he wins his 22nd cap for his country.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson opted for midfielder Gerrard ahead of Middlesbrough centre-back Gareth Southgate and Chelsea defender John Terry.
Eriksson was forced to search for a new captain following the withdrawals through injury of first-choice David Beckham and his stand-in Michael Owen.
Tomorrow night’s friendly is the first time England’s two star players have both missed a match during Eriksson’s reign, a scenario which prompted his decision to appoint Gerrard.
Gerrard’s maturity since assuming Liverpool’s captaincy before Christmas has won plaudits, as has the manner in which he has taken Everton forward Wayne Rooney under his wing when on national team duty.
