SAINTS will appoint Paul Trollope as their new assistant manager with official announcement to follow, the Daily Echo understands.

The club have finalised a deal to hire the 53 year old, who was most recently assistant manager under Rob Edwards at Luton Town.

Former midfielder Trollope was assistant to Chris Hughton at Brighton and Nottingham Forest, as well as spending a brief spell as Cardiff City boss.

He will work with new Saints manager Will Still as they look to achieve an immediate promotion back to the Premier League next season.

He won promotion from the Championship with both Brighton and Luton, and has been out of work since leaving Kenilworth Road in January.

Paul Trollope has agreed a deal to become Saints assistant managerPaul Trollope has agreed a deal to become Saints assistant manager (Image: PA)

Trollope acted as interim boss to the Hatters following the sacking of Edwards, before exiting the eventually relegated outfit himself days later.

Trollope will add experience and knowledge of the Premier League and Championship, with Still having never managed in the English divisions.

As a player, he was a Welsh international, playing 24 matches in the Premier League with Derby County, before becoming Bristol Rovers boss in 2005.

More staffing announcements are likely to follow as technical director Johannes Spors rebuilds the first team coaching staff at St Mary's.

Adam Lallana could remain on Still's team as a coach after his spell as interim assistant, but the 37 year old's future is yet to have been decided.