Echo:

SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has yet to decide who will skipper the Shrimpers this season.

Blues have had four different captains in their opening two pre-season games.

But Powell has not yet chosen who will wear the armband once the League One campaign kicks off.

And the Shrimpers boss hinted he might not name a permanent captain.

“I’ve got a lot of thinking to do on that and there’s a decision to be made on who the captain will be, but I might do something different,” said Powell.

“People make a big play on it but if you don’t have someone who stands out to be the captain then you might have to work it a different way.

“It may be on a game to game basis, I don’t know at this stage if I’m honest.

“It’s something I’m looking at but they’re a good group and they lead each other, which in some ways gives responsibilities to others so we’ll see what happens.”

John White and Ben Coker skippered Blues against Great Wakering Rovers at the weekend.

And Jason Demetriou and Michael Turner both wore the armband in yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Aberdeen’s development side in Spain.

But Powell will not rush into making up his mind.

“We have a few weeks and a few more pre-season games before I have to decide,” said the 48-year-old.

“I know we’ve had good captains at this club over the years and it’s a big thing in England but we will wait and see what happens.

“We had two different captains against Wakering at the weekend with Ben Coker and John White wearing the armband.

“We had two more against Aberdeen with Michael Turner and Jason Demetriou being captain, so we’re not short of options.

“There are others who could be the captain too and that reflects well on the squad we’ve got here.

“But it’s something I need to think about.”

Anton Ferdinand skippered the Shrimpers at the start of last season before Powell made Coker captain following his appointment in January.