WALES manager Chris Coleman has appointed former team-mate and Fulham academy coach Kit Symons to his international backroom staff.

Symons, 40, retired in 2005 after winning 37 Wales caps, and Coleman hinted at his first press conference last week that he was considering hiring his former Wales and Fulham colleague.

The appointment will intensify speculation that Raymond Verheijen, who was an assistant coach to the late former Wales manager Gary Speed, will be ushered out of his role.

Verheijen has yet to meet Coleman to discuss his future, but fellow assistant Osian Roberts is expected to hold on to his post.