James Vaughan says he’ll be honoured to lead Town into today’s big lunchtime crunch clash at Sheffield Wednesday.

The returning striker has been handed the captain’s armband in place of injured defender Peter Clarke, and will wear it for the first time in front of the Sky cameras at Hillsborough (12.15).

Peter will always be the real skipper, and I’ll be looking to him for help and advice,” said the 11-goal top scorer, who is back after a three-match ban.

“I’ve never captained a side before, but I have always been quite vocal out on the pitch, and I see it as an extension of that.

“I aim to lead by example, and I’ve certainly learned the lesson of what was a needless red card (for retaliation during the 2-1 defeat at Leicester).

“Nobody likes to miss games, and to have been out for five weeks because of the international break has been a nightmare really.

“But I only have myself to blame. I was fouled, but I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did, and I won’t let it happen again.”

Manager Mark Robins had told Vaughan, signed for £600,000 from Norwich after a successful loan spell last season, to “go out and play his normal game”.

He believes the 25-year-old will thrive on the added responsibility of the captaincy and Vaughan added: “I’m looking forward to the game.

There’s always a good atmosphere at Hillsborough, it’s another big derby match for us, and we’re going there to get three points.”

Town are 15th in the Championship (Wednesday are third-bottom) and Robins, who also has midfielder Jonathan Hogg back after injury, admitted: “We need wins.

“We have had a great week on the training ground and I want to see that translated into our performance.”

Robins says he has looked into bringing a loan player to Town – but that the right option has not been available.

“I am always looking for ways of improving the squad, and I am sure I would get the backing financially, but it has to be the right player,” he explained.