New assistant head coach Steve Thompson says joining Neil Redfearn’s backroom staff presents him with a "fantastic opportunity".

Thompson left his role as first-team coach at Huddersfield Town to assist Redfearn, who he has known for over 30 years having started their careers together at Bolton Wanderers.

The former Leicester, Burnley and Rotherham midfielder is now raring to get going, starting with Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, after overseeing training on Thursday morning.

"It’s a fantastic opportunity," Thompson said. "Leeds sells itself and when the manager wants you, it’s a great opportunity.

"You want to work for a manager that wants you and at a club like Leeds United. I can’t wait to get started.

"I’ve been down to the training ground today and I’m really looking forward to it, there are some good players out there."

On Redfearn, Thompson added: "We were young apprentices at Bolton Wanderers, we made our debuts together.

"I signed schoolboy forms at Bolton and Redders came in. He’d been at Forest.

"We just hit it off straight away. There was us two, Warren Joyce, Simon Woods and Stevie Saunders so there was a good group coming through.

"I was the best man at his wedding and we’ve kept in touch ever since through football and being mates.

"You can always see his desire and passion for the game. He commands respect. He wants the best out of the players.

Having had chance to watch the players for the first time in training, Thompson says he has been impressed by the squad and believes there is a good blend of youth and experience.

"Everyone mentions about the young lads at Leeds but there are some good experienced ones here that can help the young lads as well," he said.

"Hopefully it’s a good combination, they just want a little bit of settlement.

"Hopefully now we can get a settled ship and get the team playing how we want to play.

"It’s going to be a squad game, we’ve got to make sure all of the squad are up to fitness levels and ready to play 90 minutes."