Phil Jagielka will captain England in final Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania

Filling in: Everton defender will lead England in Rooney's absence
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Paul Hirst11 October 2015

Phil Jagielka will captain England against Lithuania on Monday night.

With skipper Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Gary Cahill having been released from the squad following the 2-0 win over Estonia, the captain's armband was left vacant for Monday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Vilnius.

And manager Roy Hodgson announced on the eve of the game that Jagielka would lead the team out at the LFF Stadium.

"I am very pleased to have Phil Jagielka here with me. He will be my captain tomorrow evening," Hodgson said on Sunday.

It will be the first time the Everton centre-back has captained his country.

Jagielka, 33, will earn his 37th cap against the Baltic nation.

Having already secured top spot in Group E, Hodgson decided to release Rooney, Cahill, Michael Carrick, James Milner and Joe Hart to their clubs after the win over Estonia at Wembley.

Player Ratings: England vs Estonia

1/14

If England win, they will qualify for next summer's finals in France with a 100 per cent record.

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