A gritty, tenacious midfielder with the ability to win the ball and keep it, Scott Parker finally saw his international career take off at the age of 30 as he helped England reach UEFA EURO 2012. His standing regenerated by a summer 2011 transfer to Tottenham Hotspur FC, he was named temporary captain of England in February 2012.

• Born in south London, he graduated from the Football Association School of Excellence at Lilleshall to begin his career with local club Charlton Athletic FC.

• Developed as a Premier League player with Charlton following a loan spell with Norwich City FC and was an ever-present in the 2001/02 season; eventually left the Addicks in January 2004 for London rivals Chelsea FC and helped his new employers reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

• Won his first cap for England while still a Charlton player – against Denmark at Old Trafford on 16 November 2003 – but his first competitive appearance for his country (and first start) did not come until almost three years later, after he had left Chelsea for Newcastle United FC, in a UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

• After 55 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, he returned to London, joining West Ham United FC, where he was reunited with former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley; spent four seasons at Upton Park, producing his best form in the last of them and being acclaimed by the nation's football writers as the 2011 Footballer of the Year – despite West Ham's relegation to the Championship.

• Recalled to the national team by Fabio Capello, he became a key figure during the second stage of the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign and, after some exceptional displays for new club Tottenham, he was appointed as England skipper by caretaker coach Stuart Pearce for the February 2012 friendly at Wembley against the Netherlands.