Manuel Neuer says he is ready to step up and captain Germany in their opening European Championship game against Ukraine on Sunday.
Regular skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31, is doubtful for the Group C clash despite playing 23 minutes of last weekend's 2-0 warm-up win over Hungary.
The Manchester United midfielder tore a knee ligament on international duty in March and has not played 90 minutes of football since January.
If he fails to start in Lille, it is expected either Neuer or Sami Khedira will lead the world champions.
Head coach Joachim Low is yet to decide who will wear the captain's armband, but Neuer has already led the team in friendlies and qualifiers and is braced to step in again for Euro 2016.
"As a goalkeeper, I have to take responsibility anyway and I see my role as guiding the younger players," said Neuer, who has been voted world's best goalkeeper for the last three years.
"As a goalkeeper, you are expected to talk a lot, both on and off the pitch."
As well as choosing his skipper, Low must re-juggle his defence after centre-back Antonio Rudiger tore his knee ligament in training on Tuesday.
Jonas Hector will start at left-back with either Benedikt Hoewedes or Shkodran Mustafi partnering Jerome Boateng at centre-back.
Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, 21, could cap his first season in the German senior squad with a start at right-back.
Neuer is not bothered who plays in front of him.
"Basically, we will have a very good defence, whoever plays," said the 30-year-old, who has been Germany's first-choice 'keeper since the 2010 World Cup.
"I get on well with each player and we will have a functioning defence out there."
Germany head to France with a point to prove having suffered uncustomary defeats in qualifying, losing away to Poland and the Republic of Ireland.
"We are pleased that it's finally going to get started. We can barely wait to get on the pitch," said Neuer.
Germany also face Poland on June 16, then Republic of Ireland on June 21.