SWINDON'S David Howell is on the panel that will aim to decide the identity of Europe's 2014 Ryder Cup captain today.

A meeting is being held in Abu Dhabi this afternoon and the former Ryder Cup winner in 2004 and 2006 is one of a possible 10 players who will vote on the issue.

Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley are thought to be the leading candidates for the post and the decision will be discussed by a number of players including Howell.

Around 10 players will cast their votes with a simple majority deciding the winner. In the event of a tie, committee chairman Thomas Bjorn will make the final decision.

Included on the voting panel will be the likes of Howell, Bjorn, Darren Clarke, Felipe Aguilar, Paul Casey, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Raphael Jacquelin, Francesco Molinari and Henrik Stenson.

McGinley and Montgomerie are not included on the voting panel as they are candidates, while Miguel Angel Jimenez - absent due to a broken leg - and Paul Lawrie have also been linked with a bid.

Lawrie will be the 10th member of the voting panel if he decides not to run for the role.

A press conference is expected to be held this evening at which the decision for next year's Gleneagles event - or the lack of a final verdict – will be revealed.

Howell begins competitive golf in 2013 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Thursday, less than an hour's drive from his Dubai base.