West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble was delighted to be England U21 captain for this week's friendly victory over Azerbaijan.

"With the game we played and the scoreline it meant it was a really enjoyable game to play in with the tournament coming up," Noble said. "I felt really good. They weren't the best opposition but you've got to beat what is put in front of you and we have done that with ease and we are raring to go."

Noble's form in the match will no doubt have given coach Stuart Pearce food for thought with regular captain Nedum Onuoha and fellow Manchester City defender Micah Richards still to come back from injury, and the Academy graduate is certainly taking nothing for granted.

"Nedum is captain normally so I'm just happy playing. If I'm captain or not I'll still put in the same kind of performance," added Noble as they prepare for the European Championships in Sweden.