KEITH Curle has been given scope to add to his Boundary Park backroom team.

The 57-year-old worked with existing club staff when he replaced Harry Kewell in March, with Paul Butler operating as his number two on his return to Latics.

But while Curle will be expected to work with the bulk of existing backroom staff, he could look to appoint his own assistant. And that could mean a reunion with Colin West, who has been alongside the 57-year-old at Notts County, Carlisle United and Northampton Town.

Simon Tracey, the chief scout at Northampton is also a close ally.

But having agreed a two-year deal, his own assistant would seem the most likely appointment in the first instance, and he said the intention to make the backroom more of his own was important to him.

“Part of the negotiations and part of the conversations I’ve been having with the sporting director is about the footballing infrastructure as well," said Curle, who said he was also impressed by the staff he worked with last season.

“Yes we’ve got some inexperienced staff but good staff. They want to learn and they want to develop themselves.

“Sometimes it’s their first job in football and it’s getting the understanding of how things need to be done.

“I’m lucky enough I’ve been in football nearly 40 years when I started as a scholar - an apprentice as it was back then. I’ve seen a lot, done a lot, been around good people, and I’ve been around some people that I wouldn’t choose to be around again, but on the journey I’ve met a lot of interesting people, some good people, and I know what’s required.”

Curle added: “I’ve got to say, as a starting point the staff that are here in the footballing department - excellent, fantastic work ethic, want to learn, want to develop, and want the football club to do well which is most important and they will go that extra mile for the club.

“It’s very difficult when you’ve worked in an industry and you come into a new industry picking up the thread, but I’ve got to say the backroom staff in the footballing department have adapted very well. They’ve had a couple of changes of managers as well. That’s never easy as well because every manager has their way of doing things.

“I’ve tried to make sure the lines of communication are very good so that if anyone is unsure about anything, ask me. I do talk.”