DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold is expected to “clarify” who will captain Worcester Warriors for the new season within the next two weeks.

Gerrit-Jan van-Velze has skipped Warriors for the last three seasons as he led the club back to the Aviva Premiership in his debut campaign in 2015.

The South African back row forward also captained the team in the opening period of their 55-21 victory over Hartpury last Saturday.

But his lengthy absence last term, playing just one game due to concussion, gave several players the chance to stake their claim as leader.

Phil Dowson, who is now at Northampton Saints, Dewald Potgieter and Donncha O’Callaghan all stepped into van Velze’s shoes.

Vastly-experienced lock O’Callaghan, 38, appears to be a strong contender for the role having led the side in the second half at the weekend.

The former Ireland international also received raved reviews for his captaincy towards the end of last season as Warriors survived the drop.

Worcester are building up for their opening league game at Newcastle Falcons on Friday, September 1.

Head coach Carl Hogg said: “(The captaincy) is something that Gary will clarify over the next couple of weeks.”

Hogg said he was delighted to see van Velze back in action for the first time in almost a year and hailed his performance against Hartpury.

“GJ has been out since the first Premiership game at Twickenham last year, so it has been a long journey for him,” he said.

“I thought he played really well. He is a very diligent and intelligent rugby player and I thought we saw that out there, so it is great for him to get back on the pitch.”

There were doubts over van Velze’s future as he battled back from the long-bout of concussion.

And Hogg said it took a “huge amount” of mental strength for the 29-year-old, who has made 42 appearances for Warriors since signing from Northampton Saints in 2014 to return to full fitness.

“Concussion is something that is on the landscape of rugby and you have got to take very seriously,” Hogg said.

“Players’ long-term welfare has to be paramount.

“I am sure GJ was frustrated throughout last year, but he has gone through the process and he has come out of the far end of it.

“I am just delighted for him personally because it is a tough journey to be out for that long especially with an issue like concussion.

“Whatever the injury, if it is long term or you are out for the season, it is mentally challenging because you are in an environment where you are coming in and all the guys are working hard with the carrot of playing at the weekend.

“If you are not able to go out on a Saturday afternoon it is a very frustrating occupation.”