EDDIE Howe says Carl Fletcher will be a "hard act to follow" for the next Cherries skipper.

Fletcher's departure to West Ham this week has left boss Sean O'Driscoll searching for a new team captain.

His obvious replacement would have been club captain Steve Fletcher, but he is likely to be ruled out for at least another month.

The leading contenders to take the armband would appear to be Marcus Browning, Neil Young, Neil Moss, Warren Cummings and Karl Broadhurst.

And Howe, who was appointed skipper in February 2000 and replaced by Fletcher following his sale to Portsmouth, could also be a shock candidate.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "It's a great honour to be captain and Carl will definitely be a hard act to follow.

"Carl led by example and commanded respect. I think the whole squad was a bit down after hearing that he was leaving and he's going to be a big loss because he is such a good player.

"Someone's got to come in and replace him as captain and I'm sure whoever Sean chooses will do the job just as well."

When asked if he had any thoughts about leading the side out at Brentford tomorrow, Howe added: "I've never heard of a loan player being captain before so it's not something I've even remotely considered.

"It's a difficult question to answer. Of course I would take it with both hands if it was offered to me but we'll have to wait and see what Sean decides."

Carl Fletcher fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he was asked to skipper Cherries in Howe's absence during a 4-3 defeat at Blackpool in January 2002 before he was appointed permanently two years ago.

And the 24-year-old, speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo following his move to the Hammers, said he felt wearing the armband had boosted his game.

He said: "It was a proud moment for me and I think it added a lot more to my game and made me grow up a bit, both on and off the field.

"I think the added responsibility made me a better player and a better person so I'm sure whoever takes it on will get the same out of it as I did and I'm sure they will be just as proud as I was.

"You've got lots of different personalities there and I think every player would bring their own qualities if they were given the job.

"I'm sure Sean has in mind who he wants and I've no doubt he will make the right decision. Whoever it is, I know all the players will get behind him as they did with me."

Fletcher's departure has left O'Driscoll's injury-hit squad even further depleted for the trip to League One rivals Brentford (3pm kick-off).

Wade Elliott is definitely out after breaking his toe against Wrexham, while James Hayter (hamstring), Marcus Browning (groin) and Derek Holmes (groin) are all likely to face late tests.

However, Steve Purches and Dani Rodrigues both have an outside chance of returning to the Cherries squad, providing they come through training with no reaction after recovering from their respective injuries.

O'Driscoll said: "We'll see how Stephen responds to full training. Dani has still got a slight problem with his hamstring which showed up under an ultrasound scan so he'll be touch and go."

Martin Allen's Bees, who are without the services of Deon Burton and Jay Tabb due to international duty, ensured their Division Two survival with a 1-0 victory over Cherries on the final day of last season.

O'Driscoll added: "He's cut his cloth accordingly and done extremely well. They were in trouble when he got there and they finished on a high and have got ambitions to do even better this season.

"They've spent some money, got some experience in and I'm sure anybody who plays them will have a hard time, especially at home."

Cherries: (from) N Moss, Young, Cummings, Howe, Broadhurst, Maher, G O'Connor, Stock, Hayter, Connell, Holmes, Browning, Purches, Rodri-gues, Coutts, Rowe, R Moss, Stewart.

Brentford: (from) Nelson, Dobson, Fitzgerald, Turner, Frampton, K O'Connor, Talbot, Hargreaves, Salako, Rankin, Rhodes, Smith, Sodje, Peters, Somner, Julian.