Walsall assistant Terry Connor set for short break as ex-Birmingham defender steps in

Walsall assistant Terry Connor is set to take a short break and will temporarily be replaced by former Birmingham City midfielder Michael Johnson.

The 61-year-old replaced Gary Waddock as assistant head coach following the latter’s departure to become manager of National League side Wealdstone last month.

Connor previously served as interim assistant at Bescot as Waddock underwent ankle surgery earlier in the season.

Johnson will be in the dugout alongside interim head coach Darren Byfield when Walsall host Gillingham on Good Friday.

A club statement read: “We would like to provide an update ahead of tomorrow's match against Gillingham, where there will be a noticeable difference in personnel in the technical area.

“Assistant First Team Coach Terry Connor will be away from proceedings for a short period before returning to the dugout as normal.

“In the meantime, former Birmingham City defender Michael Johnson will be filling in and links up with Darren Byfield and his team with immediate effect.

“We look forward to having Michael with us and utilising his experience in the game to our advantage.”

Johnson played 262 games during an eight-year spell with Birmingham City, scoring 12 goals and reaching the League Cup final in 2001.

He also had spells as a player with the likes of Derby County, Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as earning 13 caps for Jamaica.

The 52-year-old, who played with Byfield at international level, previously had a stint as manager of the Guyana national team.

Furthermore, he had a brief period in caretaker charge of Notts County in 2009 and also served as their youth coach for a number of seasons.

Since, Johnson has held roles with Cardiff City under-21s and within the FA across the English youth set-up.

Byfield added: “TC will be away for a few weeks and in his place will be Michael Johnson.

“So we’re looking forward to having him with us. He works for the FA but he will be able to spend some time with us and pass on his invaluable knowledge.”