European Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo is happy to keep people guessing as to the identity of his second vice-captain for September's match in Valhalla.

A year ago Faldo unveiled Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal as his two assistants, but the Dubliner has since resigned, saying he wanted to focus on trying to find his game again.

Eight months on Faldo was asked when he might be naming a replacement, but replied: "I haven't got anything to tell you yet. It will definitely be before the Ryder Cup — just in case they miss the flight!"

On how many vice-captains there might eventually be he said: "Speculate from zero to six. We could go around the houses on this. I'm not here to go around the houses.

"Guys and girls, why do you want to speculate? I don't know who it's going to be. I will announce it later. Plenty of time - don't panic."

Naturally, Faldo was delighted to see Sergio Garcia win the Players Championship in America two weeks ago and Darren Clarke achieve his first win since his wife Heather died of breast cancer just before the last match.

"It was great, probably more so for what Darren has been through off the course," he added. "What he showed at The K Club was character beyond belief."

From his time spent commentating for American television Faldo has noticed that their players — thrashed in the last two matches, of course — are placing more emphasis on the Ryder Cup this time.

"I think they are going to be coming at us at full guns and I know that's the way I'm thinking as well."

Opposite number Paul Azinger has already stirred up his old rivalry with the man who pipped him to the 1987 Open, but while dismissing that and insisting he gets on well with him, Faldo did state: "Zinger's drumming it up a bit more."