Ange on Bentancur captaincy decision

Ange Postecoglou has said his decision give Rodrigo Bentancur the captain's armband for tonight's FA Cup tie with Burnley is a 'reward' for the resilience the midfielder has show through a difficult year.

With first-team captain Heung-Min Son away on international duty with South Korea at the Asian Cup, and vice-captains Cristian Romero and James Maddison sidelined through injury, our Head Coach had a decision to make on who would lead the team out in their absence - and he has elected Rodrigo.

The Uruguayan, who only marked his return to action on Sunday in our 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth, has endured a tough year through injury. Having suffered a ACL injury back in February, which saw him sidelined for eight months, he then unfortunately suffered an ankle injury just four games after returning, which saw him miss another month of football.

However, having returned to the pitch on New Year's Eve, he has kept his place in the starting XI for tonight's tie with the Clarets and, because of the determination and character he has shown through such a frustrating period, Ange has rewarded with the responsibility of leading the team out - and it is quite the moment as this is the first time in his career that honour has been bestowed on him.

"It's just a bit of a reward for him," Ange explained. "He's been through a lot these last 18 months. I've been part of it for six months or so and he embodies everything we want to be as a Club in terms of his attitude and just his character.

"So it's just a little bit of a reward for him and we're delighted for him."