Who will captain Shrewsbury Town this season? The likely contenders to replace John Marquis

The armband will be worn by a new captain at Shrewsbury Town this season.

There are several obvious contenders, but who will Gavin Cowan turn to as his on-field leader?

John Marquis' departure this summer has left the captaincy vacant, meaning Cowan must appoint a new skipper ahead of the new campaign.

Back in May, Cowan said a decision would be made closer to the start of the season once his squad had taken shape. Seven signings have since arrived.

Here, we take a look at the likely leading candidates and who could form the club’s leadership group.

Will Boyle

The standout candidate.

Boyle appears the natural successor to Marquis after serving as vice-captain last season.

With Marquis sidelined through injury between mid-February and late March, Boyle captained Shrewsbury in 10 consecutive matches and wore the armband in 17 of his 43 League Two appearances.

The commanding centre-back played a crucial role in Salop’s defensive improvement during the second half of the campaign and established himself as one of League Two’s most dominant aerial defenders, ranking among the division's top 10 for aerial duels won.

His leadership qualities have also been evident on the pitch. Cowan regularly praised Boyle’s influence during Town’s resurgence and labelled him a “leader” within the squad.

Josh Ruffels

Ruffels is another experienced figure who has impressed Cowan with both his performances and leadership.

Keeping hold of the 32-year-old this summer was an important piece of business after he emerged as one of Shrewsbury’s most consistent performers during a difficult campaign.

With extensive experience across the Football League, including several seasons in the Championship, Ruffels brings the kind of know-how every dressing room values.

Likely to be among the first names on the teamsheet, he is another strong contender for either the captaincy or vice-captaincy.

Tom Sang

Few players have received as much praise from Cowan since his appointment in January as Tom Sang.

The 27-year-old boasts plenty of EFL experience, including helping Port Vale win promotion from League Two, and enters his second season at Croud Meadow hoping for a much stronger campaign.

Sang has spoken openly about the confidence Cowan has given him, and the manager could reward that trust with a greater leadership responsibility.

Jack Price

Price’s return to his hometown club has brought both quality and experience to Shrewsbury.

The midfielder has enjoyed spells with Wolves and Colorado Rapids before now returning to Shropshire this summer, and his wealth of experience could make him an influential figure in the dressing room.

Cowan has stressed that Price’s signing was based on far more than his local connections, highlighting the qualities he displayed during his spell at Brackley Town.

Although only recently back at the club, Price’s experience, personality and affinity with Shrewsbury make him a genuine contender for a leadership role.

Sam Stubbs

Stubbs is another player Cowan has spoken highly of since taking charge.

Having found himself out of favour before the manager’s arrival, the defender enjoyed an impressive turnaround, becoming a key figure as Shrewsbury secured League Two survival.

His contributions at both ends of the pitch, coupled with his resilience and character, did not go unnoticed.

With a full season at the club behind him, Stubbs is another player Cowan could entrust with additional responsibility.