Trent Sainsbury says taking on the Socceroos captaincy at the World Cup would be a cherished honour but he won't be too bothered if the opportunity passes him by.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
There's no doubt that Mile Jedinak, the long-term Australian skipper, is the spiritual leader of the team.
He's led the side since 2013, captaining the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup and through the 2015 Asian Cup triumph.
But there is a question over the 33-year-old starting against France on June 16, with Sainsbury waiting in the wings to lead Australia should Jedinak be left on the bench.
The stopper wore the armband for the first time in Australia's 4-0 defeat of Czech Republic earlier this month, taking over from defensive partner Mark Milligan as Jedinak's deputy.
Intriguingly, he held onto the role after halftime against Hungary, when Jedinak was injected into the game as a second half substitute.
Sainsbury said he tried to give it to Jedinak but was denied.
"I offered up the armband but the boss said no," Sainsbury said.
"But I'm here to play football not worry about an armband.
"It'd be a nice little thing to put on the CV but at the same time for me it's not important to be captain. It's important to be out there playing.
"I think (if) Mile starts he'll be the captain."
Speaking before his arrival in Russia, Jedinak praised Sainsbury's conduct as skipper against Czech Republic.
"He did a fantastic job," he told AAP.
"He's someone who's well respected in the group. He's vocal, he's got that presence.
"He's someone that's doing all the right things. Trying to lead by example, that needs to happen."
Sainsbury returned the favour, saying he didn't deserve to be held in the same esteem as the Aston Villa midfielder.
"He's been a great influence and leader amongst the group. The boys respect him immensely," he said.
"The presence he brings to the squad is huge. Even if he's not playing he's a great leader off the pitch as well."
The 26-year-old will appear at his first World Cup after a freak knee injury on a pitch sprinkler denied him a place in Brazil.
Given the twists and turns on the road to this moment, he said he wasn't counting his chickens to call himself a World Cup player yet.
"Its a nice feeling to be here finally in the squad but I'm not out on the pitch yet," he said.
"(Until) I'm out on that pitch and I can say I've actually been to a World Cup and played at a World Cup, I won't be satisfied."
Australian Associated Press
