Former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett is set to join Roy Keane’s Town coaching staff. Ablett was with the Blues squad at Newmarket last night, working with the defenders in the warm-up, as Town won their first pre-season friendly 9-1.

Keane says Ablett will replace Ian McParland, known as Charlie, who will not be returning to the club this summer: “We’ve had Charlie McParland here for the last few months. Charlie’s not been able to commit to the club for family reasons.

“Gary’s been here for the last few days and we’re hoping he will come on board and we’re trying to sort a deal out for him so he can work alongside myself and Tony Loughlan in training with the first team.”

Former England U21 and B international defender Ablett was with Liverpool, Derby County (loan), Hull City (loan), Everton, Sheffield United (loan), Birmingham, Wycombe Wanderers (loan), Blackpool and the Long Island Rough Riders during his playing career, before moving into coaching with Everton's U17s in 2002.

The 44-year-old returned to Liverpool in 2006, becoming their reserve team boss, working with Town full-back Shane O’Connor.

Ablett, who studied alongside Roy Keane when they were working for their UEFA Pro Licences in 2008, left Anfield last summer and was Stockport’s manager during the 2009/10 season. The Hatters spent the entire campaign in administration and recorded only five wins as they finished bottom of League One. The Liverpudlian left Edgeley Park last month.

Former Notts County boss McParland, who underwent a double hip operation in May, became a member of Town's staff in November.

Last week, former England international full-back Mike Pejic joined the academy coaching staff.

Elsewhere, ex-Town defender Wayne Brown has moved to Preston from Leicester, while former loanee Jay McEveley has completed his switch from Derby to Barnsley.

Photo: James Ager

Photo: Action Images

tortoise added 07:24 - Jul 7 Is it possible to be negative about this anyone!? Surely Liverpool wouldn't employ a mug as reserve team manager for 3 years!!? Good news I reckon, also got experience working with a top youth team and think we can ignore Stockport fiasco!
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generalpublic added 07:48 - Jul 7 bloody afl man you cannot trust these people sack him now before the parochialism starts ..why can't we pick a real football man instead of these ariel ping pong people
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bedsitfc added 07:49 - Jul 7 tortoise - he was managing stockport last year and they were having a difficult time with almost going bankrupt all decent players being sold so i dont think anybody can hold that against him.
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mickeyjb added 07:50 - Jul 7 I agree, coaching and managing are very different. Look at Hart at Pompie, I know some of the reserve team staff and they said he was amazing whilst working with the reserves!
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tortoise added 08:28 - Jul 7 Bedsit and Mickeyjb, that was exactly what i meant. Can't blame the fiasco on him and he would be coach not manager!
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Crock added 10:49 - Jul 7 "Surely Liverpool wouldn't employ a mug as reserve team manager for 3 years!!?" A club that hired Greame Souness and Roy Evans as manager? Surely not.
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arc added 12:49 - Jul 7 Sorry to hear that McParland is leaving; his arrival seemed to coincide with an improvement of our performances last season.
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IpswichElvis added 12:51 - Jul 7 Yes, let's convieniently ignore Stockport where Ablett recorded a stunning five league wins. The club also went on a record consecutive losing run as well under his watch.
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generalpublic added 13:24 - Jul 7 good old stockport everyones favourite 2nd team and this bloke nearly ruined them you say ?
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IpswichElvis added 13:27 - Jul 7 Nah general public, he deserted the Stockport sinking ship before the fat lady sang.
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Surco72 added 13:41 - Jul 7 i believe this is a very good addition to the club by Roy ,with links to big clubs for loans maybe ?
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GeorgiDoundarov added 13:41 - Jul 7 Well I don't think the role Abblet is going to get is that important. I remember him as a player - he was not great but often bad players become great managers. I would not concentrate myself of who will train the deffenders that much anyways. We have more important things to think about - will we manage to sell some of the 8 transfer listed; will we get a good striker and/or other additions to the team; will we get a good second man in command too...

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DangerMac added 14:41 - Jul 7 He 'worked' with the defenders and even Newmarket still scored? Can't be that good that then.... ;)
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IpswichElvis added 14:53 - Jul 7 How about getting Iain Dowie in??
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DrJeckyll added 15:15 - Jul 7 I think it depends wether you have a masculine (positive) outlook, or a feminine (negative) one
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Skip73 added 15:23 - Jul 7 IpswichElvis = 174 posts, positive posts = 0
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IpswichElvis added 15:24 - Jul 7 You and others will miss me skip - I am going on holiday next week. Who is going to keep your feet on the ground?
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DrJeckyll added 15:26 - Jul 7 it's like ying and yang :-)
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RetroBlue added 17:55 - Jul 7 Is this RK's no. 2, then I wonder ?
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jas0999 added 18:45 - Jul 7 Naturally there are a number of negative comments - yet there would also be a sad few who would find fault if we signed Ronaldo. This appears to be a promising addition to the coaching staff. The season hasn't even started and a few are still very very negative - suggest they find another club to 'support' this season as clearly being a 'fan' of ITFC is making them very unhappy. It's not worth it guys - go and support someone else - for your own sakes!

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Bergholtblue added 18:45 - Jul 7 Ablett played 100+ times for Liverpool, 100 + for Everton and probably as many for Birmingham. In that time, he won at least a league championship and two FA cup winners medals. That may not make him a 'great player' but it is one hell of a pedigree. This would be a super signing for the club. One we should all be celebrating.
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north_stand77 added 19:37 - Jul 7 Well said jas0999. am really fed up with the people on here who find fault with everything. They must be a bundle of laughs in 'the outside world'! Support the Club for crying out loud!
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SurreyITFC added 19:51 - Jul 7 Agree totally jas0999. I have said it before and I will say it again "WE ARE THE 12th MAN" Ablett would be a great signing and sure to give useful tips to the defence. Good workout last night and good to see Pabs bag 3. I'm sure Roy has done a good thing by putting the eight on the List, as its a kick up the rear end that they all needed and will hopefully bring the best out of them. COYB - Keano Keano Keano

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WadzillaBhoy added 20:05 - Jul 7 Well said Jas, loyal fans leaving posts is like music to my ears, there have been way too many posts from Negative Nancys over the whole of Keano's tenure. I don't even think the majority are ITFC fans they seem like trolls. Seriously either get behind the team or move out of the area. Lol I know Im moaning right now but seriously dont know about everyone else but I have had enough of the constant complaining. Keano Keano Keano COYB

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jollyroger added 22:02 - Jul 7 well said skip73 ipswich elvis have a good holiday but dont hurry back
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