Alan Pardew says he will wait until a week before the start of the new Premier League season before deciding who will be Newcastle United's new captain.
Following midfielder Kevin Nolan's departure to West Ham last month, the Magpies are without a regular skipper.
But the boss believes there are a number of candidates to take on the responsibility and is contemplating giving a few players the chance to lead United during their warm-up games.
"I have ideas but I will probably pick it with a week to go," Pardew told nufc.co.uk about the captaincy.
"We will see how pre-season unfolds and see how the squad assembles itself, how it looks and what shape it is in.
"I will then take a view from there because it is an important role, and possibly a few players could wear the armband during the pre-season friendlies."
Another position currently vacant in the Newcastle squad is the iconic number nine shirt, which has been worn by legends including Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Malcolm McDonald and Jackie Milburn over the years,
And Pardew insists he will think long and hard before giving anyone the chance to join such illustrious company.
"The number nine shirt is equally important," explained the manager. "I will leave the number nine as late as I can.
"I know just what that shirt means to this football club, but there will be a few contenders who could wear that shirt and do it justice.
"It is an important shirt and I might think of giving it to a player who doesn't get weighed down by it. I will have to assess the characters of the players to make sure that doesn't happen."
http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110701/leading-the-team-and-leading-the-line_2281670_2384781
