Brian Dooher is to serve a third successive term as Tyrone captain.
However, manager Mickey Harte will have to nominate a stand-in skipper for the Dr McKenna Cup and possibly the early stages of the National Football League.
Dooher is continuing his recovery and rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, and will not be available for Tyrone until late January at the earliest.
The former Allstar’s two previous seasons in the role produced a stark contrast in fortunes.
In 2005, he led the Ulster county to All-Ireland glory, but last year missed most of the season due to injury as the Sam Maguire Cup holders surrendered their crown rather tamely.
Tyrone were hit by a rash of injuries in 2006, which also robbed them of the services at crucial stages of Brian McGuigan, Colin Holmes, Stephen O’Neill and Gerard Cavlan, while Conor Gormley broke an ankle after the side’s exit from the title race at the hands of Laois.
All are well on the road to recovery, however, and Harte expects to have a fully fit squad at his disposal by the midway point of the NFL.
