Dean Austin has returned to Watford as an assistant coach - four-and-a-half years after leaving to follow Brendan Rodgers to Reading.

The 44-year-old joined the Hornets in 2008 as assistant manager to Rodgers and followed the Ulsterman in joining the Royals the following summer.

Austin was at the Hornets' London Colney training ground this afternoon and the Watford Observer understand he will be at Saturday's home game with Charlton Athletic before starting work on Sunday.

Head coach Slavisa Jokanovic said of Austin's appointment: “I’d like to welcome Dean to my staff and I look forward to working with him. 

“Dean will be key in getting a message across to the squad as will his knowledge of British football.”

The Hornets have been keen to add an English voice to their existing coaching setup, with former player and coach Nigel Gibbs initially expected to fill the void before joining Millwall.

A former player with Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, Austin retired in 2003 and spent a brief period as manager at Farnborough Town.

In 2007, Austin joined Southend United as Steve Tilson's assistant before moving to Vicarage Road in November 2008.

After leaving the Royals along with Rodgers in 2009, Austin had spells with Crystal Palace, Bolton Wanderers and Notts County in different capacities.

The former defender was on Watford's books as a teenager.