Given tips Hart for armband

Terry has been stripped of the armband by the Football Association over his alleged racist abuse of QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, for which he will stand trial in the summer.

The manner of his demotion prompted Fabio Capello to step down as England manager earlier this week and his successor, who is yet to be named, will have the job of selecting a new skipper.

Manchester City keeper Hart is one player who has been backed for the captaincy and Given, who was displaced in the City No.1 jersey by the 24-year-old ahead of his move to Aston Villa last summer, agrees he would be suited to the role.

Asked if the young keeper would be a good choice, Given told Sky Sports Radio: "I wouldn't disagree.

"I think Joe is a big character and someone who could lead his country one day, be it now or in the years to come.

Stability

"I think he'll be around for a number of years as well which would give them stability at national level.

"I know some managers have a thing about goalkeepers being captains and I'm slightly biased being a goalkeeper, but I've never seen a problem with that.

"You look at (Iker) Casillas, the Spanish captain, (and they) are European champions and World Cup champions."

Given, who will go up against Hart when Villa host City on Sunday, has been impressed by the keeper's progress since establishing himself as Roberto Mancini's first-choice.

"He's got a real belief in his own ability and that shows in his performances," he said. "He's got confidence in his own ability and rightly so.

"He's been playing really good stuff not just this season but the last couple of seasons. He's been fantastic. He deserves all the credit he's getting."