Ricketts happy to give back armband

Stand-in captain Michael Ricketts is happy to keep his midfield role for Walsall on Saturday – but he is hoping to hand back the skipper's armband.

Ricketts led the Saddlers out for a second straight game as they took a point from Leicester last night.

And the 29-year-old spent much of the game in the centre of a five-man midfield. The former England man says a midfield role is no problem.

But he is hoping to see regular skipper Stephen Hughes return from illness to reclaim the captaincy.

"I was here there and everywhere, right wing, goalkeeper, everywhere," joked Ricketts, who headed his sixth goal of the season at the Walkers Stadium.

"I didn't start off as a striker. When I first started playing I played centre half, right back, midfield, all over the place so it is not a role I am unfamiliar with. I played in the Premiership in centre midfield."

Although proud to be named captain, Ricketts says he is only looking after the armband. He said: "We have only got one captain and he has been ill but hopefully he will come back Saturday and take over."