JASON De Vos will officially take over from Jim Magilton as the Blues captain next season.Manager Joe Royle last night confirmed that he will ask the Canadian to skipper the Blues in their promotion push and De Vos has already made it clear he would be honoured to accept.

By Derek Davis

JASON De Vos will officially take over from Jim Magilton as the Blues captain next season.

Manager Joe Royle last night confirmed that he will ask the Canadian to skipper the Blues in their promotion push and De Vos has already made it clear he would be honoured to accept.

The EADT columnist has led the Blues whenever Magilton has not played and has experienced leading a club to promotion after lifting the League One title trophy with Wigan in 2003.

The 32-year-old also led his country to success in the Gold Cup, the Concacaf version of our European Championships, beating Brazil along the way.

De Vos, who picked up the Players' Player of the Year award this week, is the natural successor to Magilton and it has generally assumed he would take over but Royle has not rubber-stamped the appointment - until now.

Royle last night told the EADT: “Jason is the natural successor and I want him to be my captain next season. I have not yet spoken to him about it but I will be doing so.”

De Vos is likely to skipper the side in the final match of the season at Plymouth on Sunday and is no stranger to the armband. He first wore it during a pre-season friendly against Peterborough just days after joining the club.

The Blues fly to Plymouth on Saturday, courtesy of directors and a group of businessmen sponsoring the flight, looking to wrap up their season with their first away win in seven attempts.

Royle is unsure about just who will be fit enough to play and is considering including promising young defender James Krause in the squad after he skippered a Town XI to a 2-0 win at Leiston on Wednesday night.

Sam Parkin has a chance of being included after scoring in that game but much will depend on a training session today.

Royle said: “James is in with a chance of being included but I'm still some way from finalising a squad. Sam did well and we will see if trains and if he suffers any reaction from that.”

A memorial service for John Lyall will be held at St Mary Le Tower Church, Tower Street, Ipswich at 2pm on Friday, May 5.

In lieu of flowers the family have asked that donations which should be sent care of Farthing, Singleton and Hastings donations account, Deben House, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, IP4 4PW.

All proceeds will go to the Grandchildren's Football Club, Stutton Primary School and the restoration project for St Mary's Church, Tattingstone.