George McCartney became the Hammers third captain of the season at Hillsborough last Sunday

It is not often that a player on loan is made captain, but that proved to be the case for defender George McCartney at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday as he donned the armband for the first time.

With the likes of Kevin Nolan, Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Mark Noble missing from the team at Hillsborough, McCartney was the obvious choice to step into the breach for the Hammers.

“It was great for me, a real honour and a proud moment,” said the 30-year-old who is on a season-long loan from Premier League side Sunderland.

“Obviously it was a shame we lost the game, but when I was told I was being captain, I was pleased and it was nice for me.

“I am enjoying being back at West Ham and so this was good. I think if anything like that is asked of you, it is a great thing to do.”

In a new-look and inexperienced line-up, McCartney returned to the centre half slot as Dan Potts was drafted back in on the left side of defence, but the defender felt that the team coped well.

“I was probably one of the older ones against Wednesday,” he smiled. “There were a few young lads out there as the gaffer made a few changes, but they did well and dug in.”

McCartney felt that his team deserved something from Sunday’s FA Cup tie.

“We had enough chances to win the game,” he insisted. “We know that and we have to take that fact and why we lost the game.

“I think as the gaffer said, we didn’t finish off our chances, but I felt we played well enough to win. It was disappointing to lose, but there were a lot of positive things.”

McCartney is likely to return to the left back slot for Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth and he is hoping that the team bounce back.

“You don’t want to lose any game – cup or league – but we move on now and have an important game at Portsmouth next week,” he said.

“We got three points against Coventry in our last league game and now we are looking to try and get a result there and hopefully get a little run going again in the league.

“Obviously we will have some players back in for Portsmouth that didn’t play here and that will strengthen us.

“But there are a few young lads looking to catch the gaffer’s eye and I am sure we will see more of them as the season goes on.”