Kieron Dyer took the armband from Shearer during Saturday’s win over the long since relegated Mackems, but Sir Bobby has previously said that he views Aaron Hughes as a possible future captain.
"When Alan came off at the Stadium of Light, Kieron took the armband and being captain always seems to give him that little bit of extra lift," he told the Evening Chronicle.
"He responded well to it and gave what I thought was a very energetic performance.
"But I am just going to think about it for the next couple of days."
Nobby Solano is another possible choice, but the way things are looking at the moment he may have his hands full playing at right back and marking Stan Lazaridis against Birmingham.