MICHAEL Duff is set to leave his role at Burnley to become the new manager at League Two Cheltenham Town.

Duff is set to be named the new boss at Whaddon Road this weekend and he will begin his managerial career where he began his playing days.

The former Northern Ireland international came through the youth ranks at Cheltenham Town, making 337 appearances for the club during their rise from the Southern League to the Football League.

Now he will return to Gloucestershire to take over from Gary Johnson, who was sacked by Cheltenham four games into the new season, although caretaker manger Russel Milton is set to remain in charge for tomorrow's League Two game against Northampton Town.

Duff's decision to take the top job at Whaddon Road will see his 14-year stay at Turf Moor come to an end.

The 40-year-old signed from Cheltenham in a £30,000 deal in the summer of 2004 and went on to make 383 appearances for the Clarets, becoming the first player to help Burnley to three separate promotions to the Premier League.

He made 32 appearances in the top flight for Burnley but after helping them to the third promotion in 2015/16 he decided to hang up his boots, coming on for the final five minutes of the title-clinching win at Charlton on what was his final appearance.

Sean Dyche was keen to keep Duff in the coaching ranks at Turf Moor and he took over the youth team for a season, but when Under-23s boss Michael Jolley left to take charge of Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna, Duff was promoted to that role.

He spent last year managing the Under-23s in their first campaign in the Professional Development League and this pre-season had a spell with the first team, standing in for first team coach Tony Loughlan after he had undergone hip surgery.

Duff was highly-rated as a coach at Turf Moor and speaking about his temporary promotion, Dyche said: “I have spoken many times about my belief in development, not just in the players but with the staff and myself and the continuous learning curves we’re on.

“To bring Duffo in for a while to have a look at it and get used to it, when he reverts back into that under-23 group he will have a better feel and a better understanding of how that connects, and I think that’s important."