West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the appointment of former captain Steven Reid to Jimmy Shan's backroom staff until the end of the season.

The 38-year-old spent four years at the Hawthorns but since retiring has been earning his coaching badges whilst working with the likes of former Baggies' managers Steve Clarke and Roy Hodgson.

"He’s got some fantastic coaching experience with some high calibre managers and recent experience of going to the Play-Offs with Reading," Shan told the club's official website.

"He’s an outstanding individual with great integrity and just what we need for the challenge ahead.”

During his time at the Hawthorns, Reid picked up 88 caps and scored four goals before moving to Burnley as a free agent where he retired in 2015.

West Brom currently sit in fourth place with four matches remaining to make up the nine-point gap between them and the automatic promotion places.

This Easter weekend sees them welcome Hull City to the West Midlands on Good Friday before travelling to relegation threatened Reading on Easter Monday.

The verdict

This seems like a smart appointment from Shan.

I would expect the club will still want to bring in someone with more experience but having someone in who knows the club and is clearly highly regarded as a coach can only be a good thing.

It will be a bit of a baptism of fire but if he can help take the club up then he will become a hero to the fans once again.