'Surprised' Charles wants to 'lead by example' for NI

Charles will captain Northern Ireland for the first time against Belarus

Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles said that he was "surprised" to be given the captain's armband for their Nations League game against Belarus.

Charles will lead the team out for the first time at Windsor Park on Friday as Michael O'Neill continues to rotate the armband in search of a permanent successor to the retired Jonny Evans.

And the 21-year-old is relishing taking on the role.

"It's a really proud moment for me and my family and it came as a bit of surprise, Michael told me before training and I was buzzing," he said.

"Conor [Bradley] and Trai [Hume] were captain the last two camps, but I'm looking forward to leading the team out."

'Easy decision' to pick Charles as captain

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill is rotating the armband during the Nations League camapign

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill believes that Charles "deserves" the chance to lead the team out at a raucous Windsor Park as a reward for his consistent form.

"For me it was an easy decision, Shea is a player since we have put in the team that has taken huge responsibility, putting an armband around him doesn't change that," he added.

O'Neill is confident that Charles has the qualities both on and off the pitch to thrive in the role.

"Shea has got the attributes to play at the highest level of the game and the temperament to do so and that is what you look for as a captain.

"Whether he has the armband or not he is going to be a leader on the pitch and since I have come in he has been available for every game, played every game so as a manager what more can you ask for."

The manager also feels that Charles playing regular first team football in the Championship - on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton - has only helped his game.

"The biggest benefit to Shea playing in the Championship has been his improvement in his ability without the ball. We all know his abilities with the ball, but he has really improved without the ball," O'Neill continued.

"Shea doesn't need coached he needs games, the more games he plays will just elevate him."

'If I play well I can help others'

Charles was one of the standout players in Northern Ireland 5-0 win against Bulgaria last month

When asked what kind of captain he envisages he will be, Charles, who has won 22 caps for his country, aims to do his talking on the pitch, like Hume and Bradley did.

"I want to lead by example on and off the pitch and replicate what they [Hume and Bradley] did, hopefully if I play well, I can help others," he said.

"There's a sense of confidence in the team which has been there a while because we have had some good results and performances."

Charles wants his side to build on their impressive 5-0 victory against Bulgaria last month.

He knows they will need to deliver another clinical display against a Belarus side that held them to a frustrating 0-0 draw in their last meeting.

"We can't let the game get into a way they can control, in the first half we had so many chances but second half they sat deep and controlled it," he explained.

"The Bulgaria game, starting well was so important and after the first goal it was bouncing and that is the atmosphere you want to create by playing well and scoring goals."