London, Jan. 23: England all-rounder Paul Collingwood wants to be the team's vice-captain and seems certain to get the job.

Collingwood is in the frame to be Andrew Strauss's right-hand man on the field less than six months after he quit as one-day skipper.

The Durham batsman would be a better choice than the three possible other candidates - Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Alastair Cook.

Collingwood is the perfect deputy - enthusiastic, well liked and loyal.

"He is not necessarily a razor-sharp tactician but he could take over the reigns from Strauss in an emergency."

He said: "Of course I'd be interested in the vice- captaincy. I'm a senior member of the side and my role is as big as at any time in my career. You want to set the right example and, if that opportunity came around, I would consider it. Straussy is going to need a lot of help from the senior guys and I'll put my hand up," Collingwood said.

Strauss has made an instant impression with the squad who like his philosophy of players thinking for themselves and accepting greater responsibility.

The ructions of Pietersen's demotion and Peter Moores' sacking are already fading and Collingwood insisted the squad will get along fine.

The bonding started during Wednesday's flight from the UK. Colly explained: "The flight was a great opportunity to get everybody together, there were a lot of discussions and we realised things weren't as bad as some people said. (ANI)