GERRIT-Jan van Velze believes one of Worcester Warriors’ summer signings could put themselves in the mix to be club captain next season.

Donncha O’Callaghan’s retirement has left director of rugby Alan Solomons looking for a new skipper ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Van Velze is a prime candidate to replace O’Callaghan having led Warriors for three seasons and stepped into the lock’s shoes on numerous occasions this term.

The 30-year-old number eight said he “enjoys the responsibility” and would welcome the captaincy full-time again.

But with 10 recruits set to arrive at Sixways van Velze said he was looking forward to seeing what players with “no baggage” bring to the party.

“It is all up to Solly,” van Velze said.

“He will know what is best for the squad and I will trust that he will make the correct decision.

“If it’s me great but if it is not me that’s also great. I won’t be bothered about it.

“We have got some good individuals joining the squad so it would be nice to see somebody with absolutely no baggage from the last four years and changes in directors of rugby.

“They would come in with a fresh way of thinking like Rory Duncan as head coach and some of the senior players like Francois Venter.

“It would be nice to learn off them and see where they come from and why they think a certain way. That’s what I am excited about.”

Asked whether he would like Solomons to select one of his signings to be captain, van Velze replied: “I would not say yes or no.

“But it would be interesting to see what they offer and what they think.

“I am pretty sure Solly will make his decision clear and I trust that it would be the right decision.”

Van Velze skippered Warriors to promotion in his first season at the club and held the role for the following two campaigns.

Concussion forced the forward to miss almost the entire 2016-17 season before O’Callaghan succeeded him as captain.

But the ex-Northampton Saints ace was back to his best during 2017-18, featuring 24 times for Warriors.

“The fact I have had to step in as captain hasn’t bothered me whatsoever,” van Velze said.

“I enjoy the responsibility that comes with it but from the start it was always about getting back to playing.

“I have played a lot of minutes and enjoyed every single minute of it and haven’t taken it for granted.

“It is amazing how you don’t appreciate something when you have it but as soon as it gets taken away you then think I need to appreciate things more.”

He added: “Whether I am captain or not I am still going to have an input.

“I don’t mind whether I run out in the front or not.

“It does not affect the way I play or the way I am around the squad.

“I am always going to have my say when it comes to the set-piece and line-outs so whether I am captain or not it does not really change my job description.”