Former Mansfield favourite Paul Holland has returned to Field Mill as the club's new youth-team boss.

The 28-year-old has replaced Neil Richardson, who recently stepped up to become assistant manager to Stuart Watkiss.

Watkiss told Mansfield's official website: "It's nice to see him, he's a firm favourite here.

"I've never played with him but I've played against him and got to know him over a period of two years.

"He will be a valuable acquisition and a great asset to the club and I hope he can pass on his knowledge and experience to the younger players."

"He has recently moved back to the Mansfield area and I hope he can continue the good work on the youth team."

Holland started just under 150 League games for Mansfield after coming through the youth-team ranks.

He won an England Under-21 call-up before joining Sheffield United for �250,000 in June 1995.

The midfielder then moved to Chesterfield and Bristol City before being forced to hang up his boots after making just a handful of appearances last season.