England manager Sam Allardyce has rated Nigerian great Jay-Jay Okocha as the best captain he has coached.

The Three Lions boss was speaking at St George's on Monday regarding the decision to continue with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as national team skipper.

Allardyce was asked who his best captain in club football has been when responding without pause: "Jay-Jay Okocha.

"On and off the field he was the captain you looked for. He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win, he'd take the manager's instructions and apply them in the right way.

"Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn't a mercenary, which was suggested in the beginning, that he'd only come for the money.

"He became an iconic figure at Bolton Wanderers."