George Honeyman, Lynden Gooch and Lee Cattermole should all be considered for Sunderland captaincy

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With current captain John O’shea out of contract this summer, Sunderland will be on the lookout for a new captain.

Sunderland’s current captain John O’shea looks set to leave Wearside for Championship side Reading when his contract runs out this month.

The 37-year-old looks likely to join the Royals after seven years on Wearside, meaning the Black Cats have a captaincy headache ahead of a vital season in League One.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole would be the likely contender for captain next term. As a senior member of the squad and a player who knows the club inside out after spending over nine years at Sunderland – Cattermole would be the easy pick for new manager Jack Ross.

However, Ross and new owner Stewart Donald have made it clear that their arrivals mark a new era on Wearside, suggesting Cattermole along with other long-serving members of the squad won’t be here next season.

A fan-friendly player and a player with tremendous passion in George Honeyman should almost certainly be considered to captain the Black Cats next term.

If the 23-year-old was to be named captain of Sunderland, it would certainly be a hit with fans. Honeyman is not only a player from the Sunderland area, he also shows tremendous passion on and off the pitch – making him an excellent contender.

Another player Sunderland should consider to be their new captain next season is USA international Lynden Gooch.

Like Honeyman, making Gooch captain of Sunderland would be a major statement by new boss Ross – and one that suggests the Scot is willing to put faith in his young players.

The 22-year-old was another player who enjoyed a respectable campaign last season, despite his side dropping down into the third tier of English football.

Gooch has developed tremendously in his three years on Wearside and has even been out on loan at Gateshead and Doncaster. But last year the youngster came into his own, suggesting he could well be a force in League One and a great consideration for the armband.

Despite there being a trio of names who could lead Sunderland next season, 42-year-old Ross could be keen to venture elsewhere for a new skipper.