FOOTBALLER-turned-trainee criminal investigator Arjan de Zeeuw is the ideal person to assess what Paul Jewell is looking for in a club captain next season.

The centre back was signed by Jewell when Wigan Athletic achieved promotion to the Premier League and immediately handed the armband.

De Zeeuw, now back in his native Netherlands training to be a police detective, has revealed to the Evening Star what Jewell will look for as he weighs up who should be Ipswich Town captain next season.

The former Barnsley and Portsmouth defender said: “As any manager does, Paul took the captaincy very seriously. I think he is looking for a leader on the pitch, someone who always gives 100 per cent, who will put in extra fight when the going gets tough. He wants the captain to take the lead and be vocal in a good way. You don’t have to continuously shout, but just lead by example.”

Jewell is yet to make an decision on who will lead Town’s planned promotion push next season with candidates including defenders Damien Delaney and Ivar Ingimarsson and midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who led the side in David Norris’ absence.

Tellingly, de Zeeuw is proof that Jewell is happy for a new signing to be made captain – meaning Ingirmarsson, who was club captain at his former side Reading, stands a good chance.

As does any forthcoming signings, with veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer’s name touted if the former Birmingham City man completes his switch to Suffolk.

De Zeeuw believes Jewell will only pick someone who is likely to start every match, explaining: “He wants someone who plays rather than just a club captain – he wouldn’t have someone who he thinks won’t play week-in, week-out.

“With me, I think Paul wanted someone a little more balanced who would think about things before shouting.

“Someone with experience who understands the game a little more, someone who other players would turn to if they felt insecure or in doubt about what to do.

“With regards to Ipswich, I do think he will pick a central player, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be a defender. But you have to have a leader in every department – one at the back, one in midfield and, if possible, one upfront.”