Capello's skipper-in-waiting Barry insists: England first, Liverpool later

The Aston Villa star, who looks likely to be made England captain for Sunday’s match in Port of Spain, made an instant impact in the friendly international against the United States at Wembley, coming on as a substitute for Frank Lampard in the 56th minute and playing Steven Gerrard through for England’s second goal with his first touch.

Move over skipper, I want your job: Gareth Barry (right) will take the England captaincy from John Terry on Sunday

“I’m concentrating on these two games first,” said Barry. “I’m aware of the bids that have been made, as are Aston Villa, and I’ll begin to think about it when I get back.”

Liverpool are the favourites to fend off interest from Arsenal and Chelsea to land Barry while Anfield striker Peter Crouch, who was also a second-half substitute for England, looks destined to leave the Anfield club to join Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth.

Barry said he had not yet been told whether he would captain England against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday night but it seems certain he will follow Gerrard, Rio
Ferdinand and John Terry in wearing the armband under Fabio Capello.

“If that was to happen it would be great. It’s any players’ dream to captain your country but I won’t think about it until I’m told,” he said.

Dead end: Gareth Barry's run is ended by US defender Ricardo Clark

The Villa skipper also felt that Capello was happy with the team’s performance against the United States.

“We played at a high tempo, which is what the manager wanted and didn’t give them much space to create chances,” he said. “Overall the manager is happy and the players are too.

“It’s always important to score that second goal at any level. To score it relatively early in the second half settled us down and allowed us to pass it more freely.

“It wasn’t a perfect performance but overall we’re happy. It could have been three or four on another day."