Captain’s role is appealing to Poulter, but only after playing on for another 10 years

Europe's Ian Poulter celebrates this year's Ryder Cup success at Gleneagles.

The 38-year-old has been one of the continental side’s key players in recent editions of the biennial contest, most notably at Medinah in 2012 when he helped inspire a memorable European comeback.

Poulter has played in the Ryder Cup five times with his fourth win coming at Gleneagles in September.

He said: “Hopefully, I’ve got another 10 years in me before I ever get asked. If I was ever asked to be captain then yes, I’d love to be a captain of a Ryder Cup team.”

Europe will appoint a new captain for the next tournament at Hazeltine in 2016 and Irishman Darren Clarke is among the favourites for the job.

Poulter said: “There are lots of people that could potentially be the captain.

“When you look at the next one being in Hazeltine in America, it’s very much looking like Darren Clarke will be running as a strong favourite. He has got a great relationship with the players and he would be a very worthy captain.”