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Search forHarvey takes leaf from Capello book
Friday, July 11, 2008, 08:00
The departure of Michael Brough to Torquay United this summer has left the armband vacant, and the Rovers boss is in no rush to name a permanent successor.
Harvey's men kick off their friendly programme tomorrow at home to Bristol City (3pm), and whoever leads the home team out of the dressing room will have no guarantee of landing the role permanently.
England head coach Capello has done likewise with the national side, with several candidates given the chance to impress in non-competitive games.
“The captaincy is something I'll work out as we go through pre-season – it's an important decision,” said Harvey.
“We've got a few boys who have done it before but it won't necessarily be one of them, we'll have to wait and see.”
Fans favourite Darren Jones, Rovers' longest serving player, is vying with fellow ex-City man Simon Clist to do the job tomorrow.
John Hardiker, player-coach Jamie Pitman and recent signing Lee Fowler are also in the reckoning to do it full time.
Fowler will join fellow new boys Conal Platt, Andy Mangan and Kaid Mohamed in making debuts against the Championship side, while there could be an unfamiliar face at right-back.
Harvey wants to sign a specialist for the position before the Blue Square Premier campaign starts on August 9, meaning one or more triallists will be given the chance to impress.
City boss Gary Johnson is planning to bring his entire first-team squad to Nailsworth, including new recruit Gavin Williams from Ipswich Town
And he will be keen to avoid a repeat of last summer's pre-season encounter, when goals from Danny Carey-Bertram, Hardiker, Alex Lawless and Stuart Fleetwood gave Rovers a resounding 4-1 win.
FOREST GREEN (FROM): R. Robinson, T. Burton, D. Jones, J. Hardiker, M. Preece, B. Ashford, P. Stonehouse, A. Lawless, J. Pitman, L. Fowler, S. Clist, J. Smith, L. Afful, C. Platt, A. Mangan, K. Mohamed.
l SATURDAY's match is a Kids Go Free fixture, meaning all Under-16s will be admitted to the New Lawn without charge when accompanied by a full paying adult.
Those paying the full adult price to see Bristol City and Reading the following Tuesday will be issued with a voucher, entitling them to free entry for the match against Wycombe Wanderers coming up on July 19.
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