Mickey Harte feels McAnallen is a natural leader

Manager Mickey Harte decided to give the Eglish man the captaincy after consulting with All-Ireland skipper Canavan over Christmas.

Canavan is expected to miss the entire league campaign because of an ankle problem and Harte wants the veteran to concentrate on regaining fitness.

"Peter felt if he was to hold onto the captaincy it would put the season on hold for everyone," said Harte.

The Tyrone boss described McAnallen as a "natural leader".

McAnallen captained the county to the 1998 All-Ireland minor title as well as U21 national titles in 2000 and 2001.

The new skipper may not be fit for the opening league game against Dublin on 1 February because of a minor knee problem.

Harte's new county panel contains a number changes.

Allstar nominee from 2002, Brian Robinson has been left out while other omissions include Paul Horisk, Cormac McGinley and Ryan Mellon.

Mickey Harte's has dropped a number of players from his panel

In addition, Frank McGuigan, Peter Loughran and Declan McCrossan have dropped out because of other commitments.

Robinson had a fine season in 2002 but he dropped out of the first 15 last year.

Harte insisted that Robinson and the other players could force themselves back into the squad later in the year.

The most prominent newcomers to the panel is Dromore club-man Colm McCullagh who is quitting his Irish League soccer career with Omagh Town to concentrate on gaelic football.

McCullagh's Dromore club-mate Barry Collins is also named in the panel while other newcomers include Brendan Donnelly (Eglish), Shane Sweeney (Aghyaran), Joe McMahon (Omagh St Enda's) and Leo Meenan (Killyclogher).