Bolton Wanderers have confirmed the appointment of former Republic of Ireland defender Curtis Fleming as the club’s new first-team coach.

The former Middlesbrough player had worked in a similar role under new Bolton manager Dougie Freedman and assistant boss Lennie Lawrence at Crystal Palace.

Fleming, who earned 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 1998, retired as a player in 2005 and became youth team coach at the Riverside before joining Scottish side Livingston as assistant manager.

The 44-year-old, who also played for Birmingham City, Palace, Darlington and St Patrick’s Athletic, joined the coaching set-up at Selhurst Park in July 2011.