Steve Bruce will hand Andy Carroll extra responsibility when he returns to full fitness.
The Newcastle United head coach is keen for Carroll to lead the way for his striker department and pass on his top-flight and international experience.
Carroll is on a pay as you play deal and is aiming to be back in first team contention later this month.
However, Bruce has also been impressed with Carroll's attitude behind the scenes.
Bruce has held a series of positional meetings with his squad and has been taken aback by the way Carroll has spoken with his fellow forwards.
When asked if Carroll could even be considered as a "second captain" in the dressing room, Bruce told the Chronicle: "He is the local hero and he knows what it means to play for the club.
"You can already see players attracted to him.
"They all want to be around him."
Bruce also revealed that one of the conditions of him signing the former Liverpool centre-forward was the acceptance of a more senior role at Benton.
Bruce added: "When I brought him here I asked him: 'You aren't the young Andy anymore, can you be the elder statesman for me?'
"It's horrible for a player to think that.
"But can you help me with the strikers.
"We had a striker meeting and he was right in there giving his opinion."
Carroll endured some tough times in the early part of his career and struggled with life in Newcastle's goldfish bowl.
Bruce, though, now feels those days are behind Carroll.
He said: "When he was young...well we've all done things we have regretted at that age.
"He has life experience now.
"He has been there, done it and worn the t-shirt as far as that is concerned."
