FORMER Oxford United manager Michael Appleton has joined West Bromwich Albion’s coaching staff until the end of the season.

The 43-year-old, along with Steven Reid and Jamie Smith, will assist caretaker manager Jimmy Shan at the Sky Bet Championship club.

Appleton has been without a job since leaving his post as Leicester City’s No 2 at the end of last season.

The announcement comes after the former Manchester United trainee said he would be open to becoming the Baggies’ new manager following Darren Moore’s sacking in March.

Appleton made 38 appearances for West Brom between January 2001 and May 2004, before going on to become a first-team coach after injury cut short his playing career.

He told the club website: "Jimmy picked up the phone and asked if I was able to come in and help through a very important time at the club.

"He was keen for me to be there and to tap into myself and my experience of being in big games.

"I know Jimmy, Jamie and Reidy well.

"I spent ten years at West Bromwich Albion as a player and a coach and I've got fine memories.

"I know a lot of people at the club and I look forward to getting back and seeing through what will hopefully be a very successful period over the next month or so."

Appleton enjoyed a memorable three-year stay with United.

It included promotion from League Two in 2016, before an eighth-place finish in League One the following campaign - the club's highest finish for two decades.

Appleton then joined Leicester in 2017.

His 12 months at the King Power Stadium included a spell as caretaker boss, where he won both of his matches in charge.