Wednesday 5 September 2007 16:02, UK
Steven Taylor is delighted to be captaining England Under 21s and does not mind being left out of the senior squad.
The 21-year-old has twice captained the Under 21s before, when previous skipper Nigel Reo-Coker had been substituted, but boss Stuart Pearce has now handed him the role on a full-time basis, and he will begin against Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday night.
And, despite being called into the senior squad for last month's friendly against Germany, he says that he is more than happy to be back with the Under 21 squad.
"To be handed the captaincy full-time is a massive honour, not just for me but for everyone connected with Newcastle United, and Friday will be one of the proudest moments of my life," he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
"I had a taste of the senior squad - and I'm hungry for more - but it's great to be with the Under 21s again. I don't see it as a step down.
"I'm still learning, and playing under Stuart Pearce is unbelievable."
