Norwich City defender Jason Shackell has been handed the captain's armband next season to “make him a more complete player”. City boss Peter Grant revealed following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham last night that Shackell had replaced Adam Drury as team captain and will be leading the Canaries out in their first league game against Preston on August 11.

Norwich City defender Jason Shackell has been handed the captain's armband next season to “make him a more complete player”.

City boss Peter Grant revealed following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham last night that Shackell had replaced Adam Drury as team captain and will be leading the Canaries out in their first league game against Preston on August 11.

Grant said that he made the decision with Drury's blessing and the manager still expects the former Peterborough man to lead by example for the Canaries.

“Adam came to me last year and asked if I wanted to keep him as captain and I said it would be something that I would look at,” said Grant.

“I spoke closely with Adam over the last few weeks and both myself and him feel that to get the best out of Jason maybe it was something that I had to do.

“Adam knows how highly I regard him as a player - that's why he got the contract he did. He doesn't need an armband to show that he's the captain. He's a very important part for me in leading the team.”

At 23 , Shackell becomes one of the youngest City skippers of all time but Grant believes this will not phase the academy product and he can act as an inspiration from the heart of the Norwich defence.

“I just feel for Jason that if he wants to become a more complete player then giving him the captaincy and being in a central area could maybe help the team.”

Shackell could do little to stop West Ham leaving Carrow Road with a 2-1 win although Grant insisted that there were plenty of positives he could take out of the match.

“I was delighted it was only 2-1 after the way West Ham played in the first half. I thought we showed a bit of character in the second half and we could have ended up getting something out of the game.

“In the first half we had to make a lot of changes and tried players in different positions. I'm just disappointed we never had all the boys available for a game like this because if you're playing the quality of West Ham United you need all your big players out. When you have four or five players out it makes a lot more difficult that's for sure.”

Grant was delighted with the performance of David Marshall in the first half after he pulled off three excellent saves to stop the Hammers running up a cricket score.

“David Marshall's performance in the first half showed why we chased him for so long. There's no doubt about his quality and it's great to see him back from his injury first and foremost.”

Grant admitted that he hopes Marshall will not have to perform these heroics on a regular basis when the Championship season begins.

“I hope he's never that busy again this season. But when your keeper makes good saves it can be worth 10-15 points a season.

“He HHe knows he's under-pressure from Matty Gilks behind him and I think that's what we're trying to get throughout the team.”