Wayne Brown set for Leicester City captain's role

Wayne Brown is the favourite to captain Leicester City in the absence of Matt Oakley for tomorrow's visit of Plymouth Argyle.

Although recovered from a groin strain, Oakley is banned after picking up his fifth booking of the season against West Bromwich Albion two weeks ago.

City boss Nigel Pearson is keeping the identity of the stand-in skipper close to his chest, but Brown is the most likely candidate because of his obvious on-field leadership qualities.

However, Pearson said he had plenty of options and even picked out young defender Jack Hobbs as a potential captain of the future.

"We have got a few captains in the squad, people like Wayne Brown and Jack Hobbs," said Pearson, who was a captain himself during his playing days at Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

"I think Jack Hobbs is a potential captain for the future. I think it is important to have strong characters around the place.

"I am not concerned that just because Matt is missing we won't have leadership out there. More often or not, it is going to be someone who is a strong character in the group.

"But captains are not all the same. They can be talkers or they can lead by example. The important thing is you have people out there on the pitch who do set the right example."

Pearson said it wasn't just Oakley's leadership qualities that City will miss in the Championship clash against the Pilgrims, which marks the club's 125th anniversary.

The midfielder has been an influential and important player so far this season.

"He has been a very consistent performer for us last season and so far this season," said Pearson.

"It is a miss we will have to deal with and I have every confidence that whatever side we pick will be the right side to win the game."

Meanwhile, Pearson revealed he wants to extend striker Yann Kermorgant's stay beyond January.

The Frenchman had signed a short-term deal and, while Pearson would not confirm that Kermorgant had been offered a two-and-a-half year contract, he did confirm they were in talks with his representatives.

"Yes, I would like to extend that," he said.

Pearson also quashed rumours that he was interested in signing Birmingham City's Gary McSheffrey on loan.