Downing was assistant manager at Port Vale from March until May

Former Cheltenham Town manager Keith Downing has been named as the new academy coach at West Bromwich Albion.

The 43-year-old, replaces Michael Appleton, who has taken on the role of first-team coach.

Downing was a reserve and youth coach at Wolves before becoming assistant to John Ward at Cheltenham, and going on to manage the club in November 2007.

His 10-month reign at Whaddon Road ended in September 2008, having saved the club from relegation to League Two.

Downing spent the final two months of the 2008-09 season as temporary assistant manager to Dean Glover at Port Vale, but he left Vale Park following Glover's departure in May.

He made his name as a tough-tackling midfield player for Notts County, Wolves, Birmingham City, Stoke City and Cardiff City during the 1980s and 1990s.

Two of Downing's nephews, Leigh and Paul, have come through the academy at the Hawthorns.

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