SYDNEY FC will have a new captain this season, with Alessandro Del Piero set to be formally announced next week as the dressing room's official leader.

Del Piero will succeed Terry McFlynn, the Sky Blues' highly regarded foundation player who has worn the armband for the past three seasons.



Sydney's marquee star returned to Sydney this week after the club's three-week camp in Italy, though it's not yet clear whether he will play in tomorrow's friendly with Newcastle in Wollongong.



But the change of captaincy appears based on the fact that Del Piero is certain to play every minute that he is fit as the marquee player, while McFlynn is one of a number of midfield options available to Sydney coach Frank Farina.



Though Sydney CEO Tony Pignata yesterday said that no decision had been made on the captaincy, it's believed Del Piero will be publicly anointed next week when he is likely to talk to the media for the first time since his return.



Last season he was made joint vice-captain when he signed on the eve of the season, along with Brett Emerton, but wore the armband in games where McFlynn was substituted or didn't start.



McFlynn has been seen as one of the club's few sources of stability amid Sydney's tumultuous nine-year history, and will remain one of the dressing room's most influential voices.



Meanwhile, Sydney's pursuit of Serbian defender Nikola Petkovic is in the hands of Football Federation Australia, with approval needed from head office to sign the 27-year-old as an injury replacement for Terry Antonis.



With the midfielder out until January at least, Farina wants Petkovic to provide defensive cover on a temporary contract.



"We've agreed terms with Nikola, and put in a submission to FFA to sign him as an injury replacement player," Pignata said.



"We were hopeful Terry Antonis would be OK but it's a long-term injury, and it will leave us a man short until January. We've done all the paperwork, now we have to wait for the green light.



"FFA wanted certain questions answered, such as whether we could find similar cover in the youth team, and we have to justify a visa signing too. But Nikola has played for some big clubs and in very senior leagues, plus he can play in defence and in midfield, so we think he'll be a good signing.



"It's a process of pain we have to go through, and it's perfectly legitimate for FFA to ask those questions, which hopefully we've answered satisfactorily."

Antonis meanwhile will miss at least the first three months of the season thanks to the rupture of a deep-lying tendon in his thigh.



"Terry has done a lot of damage so we're treading carefully as we have to, and if anything we're erring on the side of caution," Pignata said.



A youthful Sydney side lost 2-1 to NSW Premier League 2 side St George on Wednesday night.

