Mick looks for leader of the pack

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has thrown down the gauntlet to his players to show the leadership qualities that will earn them the right to become new captain.

The skipper's armband is up for grabs following the departure of Gary Breen.

So far in pre-season, Karl Henry, Jody Craddock and Michael Gray have led the team.

Neill Collins and Michael Kightly are other potential captains, despite their tender years.

McCarthy has an open mind, with the only criteria being that whoever does the job will be a team regular.

"The captaincy is still very much up for grabs, but it will be someone who plays every week and no one is guaranteed of that at the moment," said McCarthy.

"I've been impressed with one or two in the way they have gone about the job.

"Against Dundee, Mickey Gray was the most senior player and I just asked him to take the armband, and in that team he deserved to be captain.

"He talks and organises things and all the players respect him.

"But in terms of leading the side out for good, we'll see. We've lost Gary Breen and pre-season might just throw someone else up and we might see someone else step to the fore showing those kind of qualities.

"Neill is a great lad and he's a real competitor. But we're looking for captains and we'll see. When there are dominant characters in the dressing room, others are perhaps just waiting to take their chance.

"The dominant characters might mask other people's abilities in that area not so much confidence-wise but just in finding their voice.

"But one leaves, and suddenly there'll be someone else wanting to be at the top of that pecking order."

McCarthy added: "The usual stock answer is you want everyone to be a captain."