Matt Salter led Bristol back to the Premiership in 2005 (Getty)

Bristol blindside flanker Matt Salter steps down as captain after four years in the role.

The 31-year-old has decided the time is right for somebody else to take up the challenge of leading the side.

Salter, who first played for Bristol in 1999, is the club's second longest-serving captain behind Derek Eves.

Andrew Blowers, Joe El-Abd, Shaun Perry and Mark Regan are among the candidates to replace him when the squad return for pre-season training on Monday.