Steve Bruce has announced that Jamaal Lascelles will continue to captain the club this season.
The Newcastle United head coach has several options when it comes to leaders, including Ciaran Clark, Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden, but he will stick with Lascelles.
Lascelles is celebrating is his third successive year as skipper after Rafa Benitez handed him the armband in the Sky Bet Championship season.
Bruce told the Chronicle: "Jamaal will be captain, of course.
"Why would I want to change that?
"Absolutely.
"He’ll stay captain, for sure."
Bruce and his players now head for Deepdale for Saturday's friendly with Preston North End.
The Toon boss said he was pleased with the mood in his squad after a week in charge.
He said: "They have responded well towards myself.
"There is a nucleus here, that did so well in the Championship, and that has stayed together and, if I can add to them, I’m sure we’ve got a squad good enough and capable enough to take us forward."
