Ryan Jones replaced Duncan Jones as Osprey captain in 2007

Ospreys coach Sean Holley has confirmed there are doubts over Ryan Jones' future as captain of the region.

Jones has endured a tough 2009 and went from a potential Lions skipper to being omitted from the initial tour party.

Holley says Jones remains a strong captaincy candidate but the Ospreys want to relieve the pressure on him.

Holley told BBC Sport: "We've got to learn from Ryan having the added pressure of two jobs last year and maybe he could do it again."

Jones saw his favoured number eight spot for Wales taken by Andy Powell last season and the Cardiff Blues star was also ahead of the Ospreys star in the Lions' pecking order.

The 28-year-old led Wales on their two-Test summer tour to north America.

But Jones concussion suffered in the win over USA Eagles was not diagnosed until six days later after he had joined the Lions as a replacement for Ireland's Stephen Ferris.

Jones has also regularly played second fiddle to New Zealand veteran Filo Tiatia at the Ospreys and now faces a further challenge in the back-row department since All Black great Jerry Collins's high-profile summer arrival.

Responsibility on somebody like Ryan last season was very heavy Sean Holley

Holley says factors such as non-availability of international players for large parts of the season will be taken into consideration as the Ospreys finalise the identity of their captain for the coming campaign.

The Ospreys coach said after their 22-16 pre-season win at Gloucester: "He has come back really invigorated, fresh, he's looking in good nick and he's hungry.

"He just wants to get out there and play rugby this year, take any pressures to one side and yes, I thought he did really well when he came on in the second-half.

"No [I don't think the captaincy is a difficult decision]. I think it's really easy. Any one of four, five, six candidates could step up and do it.

"What we've got to take into consideration is that we have a lot of people away for long periods.

"We've got to learn from Ryan having the added pressure of two jobs last year and maybe he could do it again.

"But we don't really want to put that burden on him so we've got a decision to make and we'll make it for next week."

Holley says there would be merit in appointing a captain not involved in Test rugby.

He added: "We have some candidates who fall into that category, but we won't take it lightly.

"We don't pick the [Wales] squad so we can't really see who's going to be in it full-time.

"So Ryan is a major candidate, he's led the Ospreys well and with distinction and if he doesn't have too many burdens this year then he could well continue."

Earlier on Saturday Holley told BBC Radio Wales' The Back Page: "Responsibility on somebody like Ryan last season was very heavy and there are things to consider.

"So we'll see what happens after this weekend and make our decision then."

Double Grand Slam winner Jones, who is expected to skipper Wales in their autumn Tests, burst onto the international scene in 2005.

He helped inspire Wales to their Grand Slam of that year and becoming an instant hit as a replacement on the subsequent British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

Former New Zealand international Marty Holah initially led the Ospreys at Gloucester on Saturday in their final pre-season game while Jones took over the leadership at half-time.

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