Aaron Hughes ready to tackle Fulham’s festive tests

Hughes, 30, has recently agreed a new deal to keep him at Craven Cottage until 2013 and he celebrated by taking the captain's armband while Danny Murphy recovered from his knee injury.

The Ulsterman added: "There are probably a few lads in the team that could wear the armband in Danny's absence.

"It has been good and I have enjoyed the challenge and responsibility it brings. You don't always have the chance to captain a team in the Premier League, so it's a big honour.

"I've been Northern Ireland captain for a while now, so I know what is expected and I try my hardest.

"I've never been a player that shouts and screams at his team-mates. I don't think you need one person to get the team going, I find that everyone is motivated.

"Danny is very influential on and off the field and we've missed him while he's been out. He's a great captain."

Murphy is just one key player who has missed part of the season due to injury. Andrew Johnson, Simon Davies and Diomansy Kamara have also been on the sidelines, but Hughes says the club have the strength in depth to cope.

The former Aston Villa defender said: "We've had to manage. It's difficult when you have key players missing but you have to react accordingly.

"From the outside people think we lack depth as a squad but I don't think that is the case at all.

"This squad has a lot of strength in depth. We've shown that because despite having players out, we've got some decent results.

"The manager is very meticulous and he makes sure that every player knows what is expected and what needs to be done."