The England captain is closing in on a century of caps for his country and is expected to hold off the challenge from Shaun Wright-Phillips to play on the right side of midfield in Germany. However, the Real Madrid star's influence on the team has waned since his inspirational display in the World Cup qualifier against Greece at Old Trafford in October 2001. Was handed his first chance at international level by Glenn Hoddle almost a decade ago and was named captain for the first time by Peter Taylor in the friendly defeat in Italy in November 2000.