Virgil van Dijk must convince his Southampton teammates he deserves to keep the captain’s armband after his failed attempts to force through a club-record move to Liverpool.
Van Dijk hopes to return to Premier League action at Crystal Palace on Saturday for the first time since Saints blocked a £60million switch to Anfield.
Asked on Thursday if the want-away Dutch defender — who hasn't played since January because of injury — will retain his role as skipper, manager Mauricio Pellegrino said: “For me, the captain is something the team may decide.
“You have to deserve it.
“You cannot make the captain someone who is not playing, but obviously Virgil was one of the leaders of the squad before.”
Van Dijk made a nightmare comeback after eight months out with an ankle injury as Saints' Under-23s were thrashed 4-0 by Aston Villa's on Monday.
New boss Pellegrino, who banished the former Celtic ace to train on his own after he demanded a transfer, added: “Virgil was training well and played 90 minutes in a reserve game. Tomorrow we will decide.
“Hopefully he will be getting better every single week. I am happy with that because everybody, not just Virgil, is ready right now to be part of the team.”