CHRIS Brunt will be keeping the Albion armband, insists Baggies boss Roy Hodgson.

The Albion winger took over the captaincy in January following Scott Carson’s demotion to the bench.

Carson has since returned to the team following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo.

And although Hodgson is appreciative of Carson’s abilities, he is not a particular fan of having a goalkeeper named as skipper.

He is more than happy for Brunt to keep the role for the time being.

"I wouldn’t like to say I don’t put any store by it," Hodgson told the Birmingham Mail.

"I think the captain of the team is an important person and it’s very important to be captain, and if you’re made captain it’s a big honour.

"But I don’t feel the need, with Carson having been out of the team and coming back in, to suddenly switch the armband back over.

"I don’t want that to be interpreted as not caring who the captain is, because I do think it is very important.

"I prefer an outfield player rather than a goalkeeper. I don’t know why but I suppose it’s conventional and conservative because most of my captains down the years have been midfielders or defenders because I think that is a good area from which to motivate the others.