Gold Coast coach Neil Henry is keeping an open mind on who the NRL club’s next captain will be but says a decision won’t be made until the eve of next season.

Henry is searching for a successor – or successors – to last season’s co-captains Nathan Friend and William Zillman.

Star forward Ryan James is thought to be the leading contender to take the mantle from Friend, who has retired, and Zillman, who is coming off contract and struggled to crack Gold Coast’s first-choice 17 at the back end of another injury-wrecked year.

But at Tuesday’s press conference, Henry rattled off six other possibilities from the top of his head – Chris McQueen, Zeb Taia, Ash Taylor, Kane Elgey, Tyrone Roberts and incoming recruit Kevin Proctor – and stressed he was in no hurry to make a call.

“There’s a few options there,” he told reporters.

“There’s a bit of time to worry about that. We’ve got a bit of a leadership group but I’m not that fussed with rushing into making a decision.

“It’ll only be before the season starts – maybe around the trial period, a few weeks out.

“The players will probably have some ideas about leadership within the organisation. We’ll consult them, it’s not just a coach’s decision, the players need to be comfortable that it’s the right person for the club.”

Henry hasn’t ruled out retaining a co-captaincy structure.

“If you go with a forward that’s only on the field for 40 minutes, there’s probably merit there. You’ve got to nominate someone the referees have to talk to,” he said.

“That needs to be thought of. We’ll wait and see.”

While perhaps something of a long shot to become skipper, Taylor will have a good opportunity to pick up a few leadership tips during next year’s Indigenous All Stars camp.

The 21-year-old was selected at halfback alongside Johnathan Thurston at five-eighth for the February 10 clash with the World All Stars in Newcastle.

“JT, he’s the best in the game, isn’t he,” Henry said.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to play with players of that calibre.

“Ash will be looking forward to the whole experience – it’s a good community feel, they get out and do a lot of promotions, it’s a good week and a game that’s played in the right spirits as well.”