Stoke boss Tony Pulis has named Abdoulaye Faye as official club captain.
Faye, who was skipper last season after Andy Griffin feel out of the side, was expected to be given the armband but manager Pulis refused to name his skipper until the eve of todays season opener, so he can see exactly who has come in and who has gone out of tha big transfer revolving door over te summer.
The Senegalese international would have faced competition from long throw expert Rory Delap and new signing Dean Whitehead, whilst former skipper Andy Griffin, even though more of a part time player since the turn of the year, would have been crossing everything possible in hope he could retain the captaincy.
Faye will now lead out the Potters for this afternoon's opening Premier League fixture and hope to inspire the fantastic form that accompanied his time as skipper last season.