Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says the number nine shirt will remain without a player for the time being.
The shirt, synonymous with star striker Alana Shearer, was vacated when Andy Carroll left St James' Park in January and Pardew says he will not rush into making a decision on who wears it next season.
"The number nine shirt is equally important. I will leave the number nine as late as I can," he told the club's official website.
"I know just what that shirt means to this football club, but there will be a few contenders who could wear that shirt and do it justice.
"It is an important shirt and I might think of giving it to a player who doesn't get weighed down by it. I will have to assess the characters of the players to make sure that doesn't happen."
