MARTIN Devaney will be a regular fixture alongside Poya Asbaghi in training and on matchdays.

The 41-year-old is the under 23s coach but is also helping the transition of several players from that squad into the first team training group. Devaney, who played 176 games for the Reds, has been helping to coach the first team in recent weeks and will be in the dugout alongside Asbaghi on matchdays, while continuing to take charge of under 23s games.

Asbaghi told the Chronicle: “It’s been something the club had planned from before I arrived.

“We want a closer relationship with the under 23s players and it’s normal that Martin is more involved in our training group.

“He has been part of our training this week and it will be like that going forward.”

Devaney was alongside Asbaghi last week for the FA Cup tie with Barrow. Academy manager Bobby Hassell said: “We have always had academy staff move up to the first team, whether coaches or support staff. It was great to see him in the dugout and it will help a lot. We usually have foreign managers now who don’t know the young players when they first come in. After Adam Murray left, there was a void there. I have regular meetings with the CEO and manager on players, but once a coach is in there he can communicate a lot better.”