Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard isn't yet decided on who will captain the club next season.
And ahead of stage two of his rebuild he's suggested the new man with the armband could be a new signing already known to him.
The former Rangers boss quit Ibrox in October to embark on the next chapter of his coaching career across the border.
Since then a variety of players have been linked with following him to Villa Park from Ryan Kent to the out-of-contract Connor Goldson.
He has also been linked with a move for former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez who is set to leave Atletico.
And he said: "I think it is always important to get in among the group and see what they are like, every minute of every day, see who is the glue in the team, see who leads in the right way, see who leads through adversity.
"Not just when the sun is shining, see who is prepared to go above and beyond and sets the right standard on a daily basis.
"We are still working that out. I still won’t rule out the option of someone coming in, who I know, who is also capable of being in the running.
"It is something I am analysing really closely now and I will make a decision some time during pre-season."
Currently defender Tyrone Mings is the man with the armband.
Gerrard won't rule out continuing with him as the leader of the pack but he insisted there was no need to be gentle with the England centre-back about his summer plans.
"Not at all," he added. "Ty was really appreciative of having the opportunity to continue with the armband.
"I made it clear to him first before we put it public that it was what we were going to do.
"Ty is in with a really good shout, I’ve been really happy with him. But it’s not the right time, with eight games to go to pick the long-term captain of Aston Villa."
