Langer could still take part in the Ryder Cup as a player

Under a new method of selecting the European side, 10 players will qualify from a points table based on the Order of Merit and two wildcards will be granted.

Last week Langer said he had not ruled himself out of qualifying for the team and insisted he would give up the captaincy if he succeeded.

Montgomerie feels this could leave the Ryder Cup team in limbo before the contest at Oakland Hills in September.

"We might lose our captain," Montgomerie said.

"Langer has to make a very, very serious choice as vice-captain if he is close to qualifying as that guy will have to take over."

"He (Langer) wants the best team and if he is in the top 12 he feels obliged to play.

The only non-risk system is the one I've advocated for many years, which is 12 picks Colin Montgomerie

"Our whole system is based on needing the top players and we've been very fortunate the last few times that we've actually had it."

Langer feels the new system should mean he does not have to "waste" picks on the likes of Jesper Parnevik and Sergio Garcia, who failed to qualify automatically for the last Ryder Cup as they spent most of their time playing in the United States.

But Montgomerie believes there is only one way to ensure the team is as strong as can be.

He said: "The only non-risk system is the one I've advocated for many years, which is 12 picks. There's your best team."