Fabian Wilnis would love the opportunity to lead Ipswich out as captain again this season.

The right-back was still beaming today after skippering Town to a 3-0 FA Cup victory against Derby County at Portman Road on Saturday - and admitted the news of his ascendancy came completely out of the blue.

"I only found out that I was going to be captain when I arrived at the ground," the Dutch defender said.

"The manager took me to one side and asked whether I would like to be captain, and I thought 'brilliant'."

With the Blues' usual skipper, Jim Magilton rested on the substitutes' bench, boss Joe Royle decided to hand the role over to Wilnis who incidentally picked up his fifth booking of the season in Saturday's Cup win.

"It was definitely something special. It was great to have the added responsibility," the 33-year-old added.

"The players were giving me plenty of stick, though. Pablo (Counago) wore the armband during the warm-up before the game and was winding me up."

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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