Former Wanderers defender Dean Holden is set to be named as the new manager of Charlton Athletic today.

The 43-year-old, who has previously managed Oldham Athletic and Bristol City and served as assistant at Stoke City and Walsall, is likely to take charge of his first game against Peterborough United on Boxing Day.

The South London club are currently four points above the relegation zone in 18th.

Swinton-born Holden cut his teeth in professional football with Bolton and was regarded as an exciting young defensive talent by Sam Allardyce until a badly broken leg checked his progress.

He made just 21 appearances for the club before moving on to Oldham in 2002, after which he turned out for Peterborough United, Falkirk, Shrewsbury, Chesterfield, Rochdale and Walsall before hanging up his boots in 2014 and moving into coaching.

Holden worked at Oldham, including a brief spell as manager, and then moved to Walsall and Bristol City, where after a spell as assistant manager to Lee Johnston he eventually took the top job in August 2020.

He left Ashton Gate with the club in 13th spot and quickly linked up with Michael O’Neill as assistant manager of Stoke City, staying with the Potters until August this year.

Holden remains a familiar figure for Wanderers fans having worked as an occasional summariser for BBC Radio Manchester.