The 25-year-old Austria international turned in a committed display in Saturday's opening-day victory over Tottenham Hotspur despite needing stitches in a head wound at half-time on the back on an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Southgate, who confirmed Pogatetz would wear the armband this season after doing so on a temporary basis at the end of the last campaign, was delighted with the efforts of his latest successor in the role.

He said: "I felt that Pogatetz was the obvious choice as captain because he is a leader. He is such a strong character and has lots of qualities. He's an organiser on the pitch. He missed some of the pre-season games, but I knew, fitness-wise, it wouldn't be too much of a problem with him.

"He got a cut in the first half, but there was never any question that he would not be back out for the second half. He is a very important player to us."