Coyne could replace brother as captain

Carl Marston

CHRIS Coyne could displace his younger brother Jamie as captain of Perth Glory, if he decides to sign for the Australian club.

Centre-half Coyne, who is Colchester United's club captain, still has a couple of years left on his contract at the Community Stadium.

However, Coyne is keen to move on, and a return to his native Australia and his home-town club is a distinct possibility.

The Socceroos international defender has been offered a three-year deal by Perth Glory coach Dave Mitchell, and if he accepts the offer, then he will team up with younger sibling Jamie, who was skipper of Glory as well as the regular right-back last season.

Coyne will make his final decision in the next few days. He is also considering a number of other options, while on holiday with his family in Dubai, including a move to Asia or another club in England.

Glory coach Mitchell revealed to the Australian press: "It's still up in the air really, we don't know.

"He's got some issues over there at the club (Colchester). We've made an offer and there's a few other clubs in the mix, so as of yet we don't know."

Perth disappointed last season, when Jamie Coyne was skipper, so the U's 30-year-old stalwart would be a definite candidate to take over the role, if he signed.

Mitchell added: "That's something I've been thinking about.

“We've got natural leaders. Jamie did OK last year, we've got Jamie Harnwell as well, you've got Andy Todd, Jacob Burns - so we've got a few candidates."

Coyne has played 35 league games for the U's since his then-club record transfer move from Luton (�350,000) in January, 2008. But his last season was disrupted by international call-ups, injuries and a loss of form.

“If Chris Coyne comes there's another candidate as well. I'll just wait and see.”