CORRY Evans will wear the captain's armband for Sunderland this season after being selected by manager Lee Johnson. 

Evans, 31, joined the club in the summer after being released by Blackburn Rovers, ending his eight year association at Ewood Park. 

Evans is set to play a significant role in the heart of the Black Cats midfield this season following the departures of Max Power and Grant Leadbitter earlier in the summer. 

The Northern Irishman has plenty of experience under his belt at domestic and international level. Among Evans, there will be a string of first-team players who will spearhead a leadership group to help drive the club's message forward.

Lee Johnson told the club website: “It wasn’t an easy decision because we have five or six players with real quality in terms of leadership, so this year we have tried to give them different responsibilities and spread the responsibilities.

“The team captain will be Corry Evans, who is obviously an experienced international and very well-respected, and he is very calm – at a club like this, that calmness personified, both in his performances and general day-to-day consistency, becomes very important.

"Vice-captain will be Aiden McGeady, a very different leader and talisman if you like, somebody that really grabs a game by the scruff of the neck.

“He is also hugely respected within the squad, not only because of his career but because of his football intelligence.

“We have gone with two club captains and they are tasked with driving the culture and driving the standards, particularly off the pitch.

“They are Bailey Wright, who is well versed in that role having done it for me at Bristol City, and Luke O’Nien, who we feel has real leadership potential off the pitch and we are looking to hone and develop that on the pitch.

“Lynden Gooch and Tom Flanagan also come into the communications and leadership group and what that is, is those six guys that we – from me to the sporting director – can discuss any key subjects with.”

Meanwhile, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says talks are ongoing with full-back Denver Hume, who has been offered a new contract with the club.