Football
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Mathew Leckie puts his hand up for Socceroos captaincy

Hertha Berlin's Mathew Leckie has admitted that he would relish the chance to be captain of the Australian national team.

The 27-year-old winger is one of the most experienced players in the squad, but Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is yet to reveal who'll lead the team for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Lebanon as the hunt for a long-term replacement for retired skipper Mile Jedinak continues.

Veteran Mark Milligan took the armband in last month's 4-0 win over Kuwait, while defender Trent Sainsbury is also a front-runner after leading the team in pre-World Cup friendlies earlier this year.

Only Milligan (72) and Robbie Kruse (68) have more caps than Leckie's 57 appearances for Australia, and Leckie says he's willing and able to lead if given the nod by Arnold.

"I've been very privileged and honoured to be able to represent the country so much," Leckie said. "I love every game and every moment.

"Never would have thought the opportunity to be a captain for a game would be there, but if it comes around it would be something I'd would take very seriously and cherish."

Leckie says whoever gets the role full-time ahead of January's Asian Cup will have plenty of support within the squad.

"Everyone's very open, we don't really have one leader, it's more just a collective thing," the Hertha Berlin player said. "I'll hopefully be able to lead in some circumstances on the pitch. But in terms of off-field, it's all easy going."

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