Coventry City

Ricketts was also captain for the pre-season games against Luton Town and Cambridge United but revealed that the manager hasn't spoken to him about being the permanent captain of the side.

The defender said: "I don't read anything into it, the gaffer hasn't said anything yet about it, it's up to him whatever he decides. 

"I do enjoy being captain, I was captain at Wolves and had a successful time there, but captain or not I just try be myself, help the young players, be vocal and try to organise. Whether you're captain or not you should do that anyway."

Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Oxford at Liberty Way, Ricketts was under no illusions that the Sky Blues have things to work on.

One of those things is bringing the best out of the attacking players, including new signing Adam Armstrong who Ricketts believes can be a big boost to the side.

"From the game plenty of things to work on, things didn't go right today," Ricketts said.

"We would have loved to have won the game convincingly, on the other hand  it's nice to have a few problems to get them now and rectify them for next week.

"We need to be more threatening to the opposition, passing the ball but hurting the opposition with our passing. We have some talented players in the final third where they can cause problems.

"Adam is one of those players, it's his first loan move and a big learning curve for him. We need to help him, we can't just put pressure on him, not all on his shoulders. 

"Hopefully he won't be too shy, so he can settle in with a great young bunch of players who will help him."