FALDO PROFILE Age: 47 Ryder Cup caps: 11 (1977-1997) Match wins: 4 (1985, 1987, 1995, 1997) Record:Played 46 Won 25 Lost 19 Halved 4

The 47-year-old Englishman, the leading points scorer in Ryder Cup history, insisted he has the right credentials to mount a successful defence.

"I've got the experience, I know what tricks they are going to try to pull," Faldo told The Times.

"I know about putting the teams out and what the strategy should be on Sunday."

He added: "There are not too many more new permutations to come up with, but if you've got the experience, you know them."

EUROPEAN RYDER CUP CAPTAIN CONTENDERS Bernhard Langer - victorious captain at Oakland Hills Ian Woosnam - vice-captain to Sam Torrance in 2002 Sandy Lyle - five-time Ryder Cup veteran Nick Faldo - leading Ryder Cup points scorer Outsiders: Colin Montgomerie, Christy O'Connor Jr., Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth

Faldo made 11 consecutive appearances in the Ryder Cup from 1977 to 1997 and was on the winning team four times.

He has also won the most points in the history of the event with 25. American Billy Casper is next with 23�, Arnold Palmer won 23 and Spain's Seve Ballesteros won 22�.

Since Bernhard Langer's side trounced the USA 18�-9� earlier this month, former European vice-captain Ian Woosnam and five-time Cup veteran Sandy Lyle have revealed they would like the job in Ireland.

Langer, meanwhile, has yet to decide whether to carry on, while Oakland Hills hero Colin Montgomerie looks likely to continue as a player in 2006.

"Obviously, there are quite a few guys who want it but whenever the committee ask for nominations I will say 'yes, I'm up for it'," said Faldo, a former world number one and six-time major winner.

"If I never got the job I'd be disappointed but I am not going to wave my arms about. I am just going to let them decide and whatever that is I will support 100 percent."

Ireland's two-time Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley, however, admitted he would prefer an Irish captain, such as Christy O'Connor Jr, Des Smyth or Eamonn Darcy, at the K Club, near Dublin.