GARY Speed says Ashley Williams is a contender to captain Wales against England at the Millennium Stadium next month.

Williams is Swansea City's sole representative in the 23-man squad for next Tuesday's game in the Republic of Ireland after David Cotterill was left out.

Joe Allen was named last week in the under-21 party for their friendly with Northern Ireland the following night.

Speed will delay appointing a skipper for the Nations Cup game in Dublin as some of the leading candidates feature in club games on Sunday.

Options

Williams will come up against Craig Bellamy in the South Wales derby, while Danny Gabbidon — who returns to the squad after coming out of international retirement — is in action for West Ham against Birmingham.

Speed will ponder his options over the coming weeks before naming a long-term skipper ahead of Wales's Euro 2012 qualifier against the English on March 26.

The ex-Sheffield United boss makes Williams one of the frontrunners to land the armband along with Gabbidon, James Collins and Bellamy, who recently offered to relinquish the role because ongoing fitness problems mean he may not be able to play regular international football.

"It's something that I'm not going to decide before this game because of the games on Sunday. It makes it difficult to know who's going to start in Ireland," said Speed.

"Ashley's captained the team when Craig's not been there, but there's no point selecting him and then him not starting the game. A permanent captain will be named before the England game.

"Ashley's one of the ones in with a shout as are others. Danny Gabbidon's come back in now and James Collins is captain material.

"Craig Bellamy is one who's been captain before so there are options. It's something that I haven't thought about much.

"We'll get this game out of the way, then look at the candidates and sit down and talk about it."

Though Allen will not travel to Ireland, Speed insists the midfielder is very much in his future plans.

Rest

The 21-year-old is also expected to feature against Cardiff and Speed believes he is better off having an extra day's rest and turning out for the under-21s a week tomorrow.

"With Joe, if it had been a competitive game I think he would have been in there," Speed added.

"I don't want to bring him in and then not play him at all so hopefully he can have 45 minutes for the under-21s, which I'll be going to see at Wrexham anyway.

"He's been playing really well this season and hopefully I'll be going down to watch him (against Bristol City) tonight. He's someone I've got my eye on, absolutely."