TONY Mowbray has completed his backroom-staff reshuffle ahead of Albion's Barclays Premier League return by elevating Michael Appleton to reserve-team coach.

Appleton will also continue to coach the Baggies' FA Premier Academy League Under-18s team, with the support of Albion's Academy staff.

The move comes after former reserve-team coach Craig Shakespeare left to become assistant manager at Leicester City last month.

Since then Mowbray has also appointed Peter Grant as new first-team coach and Dan Harris as Head of Sports Science.

"Since Craig Shakespeare left we've rearranged the coaching staff," said the Hawthorns boss.

"Peter Grant has come in solely as first-team coach to work alongside me and Mark Venus.

"Michael is going to step up and look after the reserves and, with the support of the Academy staff, the youth team.

"We hope by giving the lads who are coming through to become young professionals a familiar voice to listen to it will provide continuity.

"For Michael he faces a new experience of marrying his work with youth team players to work with senior players.

"He's got strong opinions on the game, is good to work with and, as with all my staff, I canvas his opinion on my team."

Former Manchester United midfielder Appleton, who is hoping to complete his UEFA Pro License in December, joined Albion from Preston as a player for £750,000 in January 2001.

He was forced to hang up his boots in November 2003 after admitting defeat in his two-year battle with a serious knee injury and swiftly moved into coaching at The Hawthorns.

He said: "I'm delighted to be made reserves coach and this is a good step up the ladder for me.

"Hopefully I can repay the manager's faith in me.

"It's been a rollercoaster ride in my seven-and-half-years at the club.

"When I first started coaching here it was with the Under-14s, then with the development squad before working with Craig Shakespeare, who helped me a lot, on the youth team.

"My responsibility now is to look after all the players at the club aged between 16 and 21.

"It's going to be good for the reserves to be playing in the Barclays Premier Reserve League (South) for the first time after spending previous years in the Northern section.

"It's an opportunity to pit our wits against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham, which is going to be difficult."

PIC: ON THE UP...Appleton observes the pre-season action at Shrewsbury

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