PAUL Hayes said being made Wanderers captain is an honour for him and his family.

It's the first time the striker has taken the armband in his career, leading from the front in the absence of club captain Matt Bloomfield.

But he said he's just one of a number of natural leaders in the Wanderers squad - and he believes having so many people with leadership qualities in the camp can only be a good thing.

The 30-year-old said: "The manager's thinking of someone else to be captain on the pitch and he's chosen me. There could be other contenders. We've got a few leaders out on that pitch anyway, it's not just because I wear the armband I'm the one everyone looks to.

"We've got a few boys out there who take it up. We've got a good team spirit and we have a lot of respect for each other.

"It's not so much when times are good, it's when times are tough and you're struggling in a game or you're losing a couple on the bounce. We've got a young squad here at the moment and the older boys need to step up to the plate and they have done so far, especially the game against Carlisle.

"They've got the goal back to make it 1-1 and you could easily crumble and lose the game. The characters came through and shone through from everyone, especially the young lads."

Hayes added: "I've never been captain before. It's new to me and new to my family. I'm very proud and honoured to be captain at a side like Wycombe - they've had very good captains here before.

"It's a role I'll take on with great pride. It's an honour the manager's given me the captain's armband in the last few games.

"We spoke about it just before the first game of the season. Matt Bloomfield's obviously the club captain, he's the main guy here, but unfortunately he isn't playing at the moment."

Hayes scored six goals in six games in a previous loan spell at Adams Park and opened his account for the season by converting a penalty against Carlisle.

Although a regular penalty taker throughout his career, Hayes said taking responsibility from the spot is another way of leading by example.

He said: "It's crucial for any forward to throw himself forward to take a penalty. That's his job, to score goals. I've been penalty taker at all the clubs I've been at. It was crucial to score the penalty with it being 1-1."