David Artell says there are a number of contenders to be club captain. The Alex boss is looking to appoint a new club captain following George Ray’s exit from the club this summer.

Of course in Ray’s absence on occasions last season, the likes of Perry Ng, Paul Green and James Jones have all captained the club at various times.

Artell says he will name his skipper ahead of this Saturday’s first game against Plymouth.

He told us: “Perry is an excellent footballer and is the best right-back in the league by a distance. He is not a particularly vocal leader. He more leads by example and he has developed into a leader. He is influential by being effective and he encourages those around him.

“There are a few in that bracket. Paul Green is the same. He leads others by his example. He is no shrinking violet and he knows the game.

“James Jones is tactically astute. He knows what the opposition are trying to do and works it out. He has a very good football brain and we will be getting him to share that knowledge with the others more often this season. He is a very good.

“He has been brought up properly and he is a good player.

“It is an honour to be captain but we don’t want it to weight too heavily on them and be detrimental on the game. We will make sure it is right.”