Poll: Should the Caps Bring Back DeMerit?

With the Whitecaps' protracted search for Martin Rennie's replacement finally complete after the installment of Carl Robinson as the new gaffer, preparations for the 2014 MLS season can now begin in earnest. One of Robinson's priorities this winter will to be to conclude contract negotiations with club captain Jay DeMerit.

The club and the popular DeMerit have previously been in contract negotiations at various times during 2013, but talks were put on hold while DeMerit was recovering from an Achilles tendon injury suffered during the opening minutes of the first match of the season at home to Toronto FC. As DeMerit's injury healed and he was closer to full fitness, contract talks resumed this past summer (as previously reported here on 86Forever) without reaching a conclusion.

During yesterday's news conference Robinson had the following to say regarding DeMerit's status:

"I’ll be touching base with Jay in the next two days. He’s an important piece of the club going forward and he’s a total leader on and off the field. It’s important going forward that I’ll be making key decisions, and Jay’s a key decision. He’s someone I’d like to bring back."

DeMerit himself weighed in on the situation with the following comment on Twitter last night:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>As for my situation, I&#39;m looking forward to getting back to contract negotiations and staying a Whitecap. We shall see! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23GoCaps&amp;src=hash">#GoCaps</a></p>&mdash; Jay DeMerit (@D6MERIT) <a href="https://twitter.com/D6MERIT/statuses/412777860479205376">December 17, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Do you think that the Whitecaps should bring Jay DeMerit back for 2014 and beyond? You can add your voice to the discussion by leaving a comment below.

You can watch video of Robinson's press conference here.

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