Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Karl Henry is hoping manager Mick McCarthy will hand him the captain’s armband permanently now that club captain Gary Breen has left the club.

Breen was McCarthy’s chosen on-field lieutenant last season but missed much of the campaign through injury and Wolverhampton-born Henry led the side admirably in his absence.

Now Breen has been released and has linked up with former Wolves boss Graham Turner at League One Hereford United, leaving the position of club skipper vacant and Henry revealed he would be proud to be given the job this season by manager Mick McCarthy.

“If he came to men and said he wanted me to be captain I would love it,” said the 25-year-old. It is an honour. I have always loved being captain whenever I have been asked to do the job. I would look forward to that if I am asked again but we have to see what happens.

“I am one of those who likes the responsibility of being captain. I remember the first time the manager gave me the arm band and I was a little nervous and wasn’t quite sure.

“The armband doesn’t get passed around willy nilly, he gave it to me and thought I was responsible enough to go out there and lead the team. I love it. The responsibility adds to my game.

“It makes me want to go roaring round and lead by example. I am quite vocal, as well. I enjoy it and being a local lad, as well, makes it a great honour.”

After the announcement that Henry’s midfield partner, Seyi Olofinjana, had triggered a clause in his contract that allowed him to be transfer listed, the former Stoke City star is expecting to have someone else alongside him in the Wolves engine room.

Dave Edwards showed his ability after joining from Luton Town in January and McCarthy has also recruited Dave Jones from Derby County. But whoever plays alongside Henry, he is determined to improve his own game.

“We all knew the situation with Seyi, that he had a clause in his contract,” he said. “I wish him all the best in whatever he does because he has been tremendous for the club.

“In the two years I have played with him, he has been an absolute pleasure to work with. If we can keep hold of him, it would be tremendous, but we don’t know what will happen, whether he is going to go or stay. If he left, it would be a tremendous loss for the club. He has been a great servant and great player.

“We have Dave Edwards and David Jones who can play in there and I don’t know what the manager will do. I have to just concentrate on what I am doing.

“I want to work as hard as I can and I have set myself some targets. I want to get from box to box more, get in the opposition’s penalty area and score a few more goals.

“I have watched a few of my games and there are things I need to improve on. One of those is getting forward, scoring goals and getting involved in things further up the pitch.”