Kieron Dyer is to start work as the lead coach of Ipswich Town’s U23 side later this week, backed by club legends Terry Butcher and Jason Dozzell.

Dyer, a product of the Town academy who played more than 100 times for the Blues before a big money move to Newcastle United and a lengthy career in the Premier League, rejoined the club in 2014 to school youngsters, before leaving his role as under-18 coach last year, saying he wanted to ‘progress my career.’

But, while working as a Sky Sports pundit yesterday, the 41-year-old revealed that he’s accepted a new role with the club’s under 23s.

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He said: “I start officially on Thursday, doing the Ipswich under 23s. I’m looking forward to it, got a good history wth the football club and there’s a good youth system.

“We’re in (Academy) category 2, but the way we survive as a club is getting the youngsters through and selling them on for money.

“That’s what happened with me and a lot of players - Darren Bent, Titus Bramble, Darren Ambrose, Jason Dozzell, who’s got a younger son Andre who could be worth a few quid, so we’ve got some talented kids.”

Dyer will be assisted by Butcher, Dozzell, Bryan Klug and Lee O’Neill.

He told the club website: “I’ve been away from the club for about 18 months developing my education.

“Tactically I feel like I have a better understanding of the game so when this opportunity came along I wanted to take it.

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“There are some very talented young players here and I’m looking forward to helping them on their journey.

“This club has always produced good footballers from the Academy so we’ll be looking to continue that - I can’t wait to get started.”

“Obviously we are delighted that Kieron is back at the club,” said O’Neill, Town’s general manager of football operations.

“We know what Ipswich Town means to him and he has a lot of knowledge and experience that we feel can benefit the development of our young players here.

“Kieron will be lead coach for the 23s, with Terry and Jason working with him as well as Adem (Atay), Bryan (Klug) and myself so we have that continuation from U18 to 23s. It will be a team effort.”

Gerard Nash, who was leading the 23s, will now take up a new role focused around the first-team.

“Gerard will be freed up now to do analysis on the opposition for the first-team as well as watching the progress of our players out on loan,” added O’Neill. “He will also be involved with the coaching at PDP level.”