MIDFIELDER David Noble has been named as Exeter City's vice-captain for the coming season.

The 28-year-old has already deputised for skipper Matt Taylor on a couple of occasions this pre-season, donning the armband in the first half of the Grecians' game against Clevedon Town and again on Monday night against his old side Bristol City.

And manager Paul Tisdale has confirmed that it was a conscious decision to reward Noble with the captaincy, because he sees the former Arsenal trainee as a natural leader.

Tisdale said: "David will be our vice-captain. If he is on the field when Matt is not on the field, then David will be captain.

"He is that type of character. The players trust him with the ball, they listen to what he says and respect him and he is a real team player.

"I really like the way he conducts himself in the dressing room and on the pitch and he has got real empathy with other players when we play.

"He recognises when they do well and tells them so and when they need to do something else, he tells them in the right way, so I think he is real captain material."

Noble has certainly caught the eye in pre-season despite his lack of match fitness.

The vision he showed in creating Daniel Nardiello's goal in the 3-1 win against the Robins underlines why Tisdale was so keen to sign him.

However, Noble's arrival and return to fitness perhaps leaves Tisdale with a selection headache.

With the City boss likely to play three in central midfield this season, he will have to choose which two of first-teamers Ryan Harley, James Dunne, Liam Sercombe and Bertie Cozic partner Noble each week.

"I'm virtually there," Tisdale said. "There are one or two small decisions to make with selections, but other than that we are virtually there and you will probably be able to pick the team yourself.

"We have a nice shape about us and the players seem to know what they are supposed to do. We are building on last year, we are not starting again. We are taking off from the last quarter of the season and building on it.

"The players are just adding to their game rather than starting again and it gives me a lot of confidence that I can add to the game rather than have to reshape it. I am pretty close to the team that will start in a few weeks' time."

The Grecians have certainly played some eye-catching stuff in pre-season, which has left City fans buzzing with excitement.

But Tisdale is not getting too carried away. He said: "In terms of efficiency and having an effective team, we look like a team that will do well.

"But of course, it is only pre-season and the proof is in the pudding when it all starts in a few weeks' time."

A youthful Exeter City side drew 2-2 with Torquay United in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Cat & Fiddle training ground on Tuesday.

A strong Gulls team strolled into a 2-0 lead during the first half thanks to goals from Elliot Benyon and Eunan O'Kane.

But a Chris Shephard free-kick and a strike from Kyle Bassett ensured the Grecians finished the game with a share of the spoils.