BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has handed Dean Saunders a new coaching role as part of a backroom reshuffle.

Former Welsh international Saunders will start next season as first team coach after making a big impression at Brockhall.

The 38-year-old has been working at Rovers for the last 18 months combining his role as a striker coach with helping to manage the reserves.

His promotion to the first team means Phil Boersma will now swap roles and help Alan Murray with the reserves.

Saunders is a fully qualified coach and was recently linked with the manager's job at Derby County.

He is a popular figure amongst the players and Souness was keen to keep him out of the clutches of the Rams.