Chris Powell says he is looking forward to having the Kenilworth Road faithful on his side for once after joining the Hatters as assistant to new manager Jack Wilshere.

The 56-year-old former England defender and coach has been a regular visitor to Luton over the course of a career that took in playing spells at Southend, Derby, Charlton, West Ham and Leicester, among others, before managing the Addicks, Shrimpers, Rams and Huddersfield.

His experience will be of vital importance to the 33-year-old Wilshere in his first senior managerial job, and Powell knows how much of a part the Town crowd can play.

“Once I knew of the interest, I wasn't sure exactly how it was going to happen, who was going to be named,” said Powell.

“But when I heard that it was most probably going to be Jack, we reached out to each other late Saturday night and then spoke again the next day, a couple of times, and now we're here, and so it's a good feeling and we know exactly what the club's about.

“We need to get to know people quickly and time is against us a little bit, but that's fine. We understand what's required and we have to get to know players particularly.

“But I think we need to get to know the essence of Luton Town and what it means to the people of Luton, the supporters that come from far and wide to support the team, and we'll do our utmost best to make that happen.”

He added: “I'm really excited by it because I've been here a few times at Kenilworth Road and it can be some place, but equally the team have to play a massive part in that and then the fans do what they do.

“I've had a few long walks from the other side going into that tunnel, so I'm looking forward to that being on the home side now.”

A playing career in which he made more than 750 appearances, including five England caps, Powell also served on Gareth Southgate’s coaching staff at the delayed Euro 2020 and Qatar World Cup, while also serving as Head of Coaching at Tottenham before a two-year spell as assistant at Sheffield Wednesday.

“I suppose you say wealth of experience that that means I'm old, so that's no problem, I've been around a long time, so I'll be looking to help Jack facilitate what he wants from the team,” said Powell.

“I'm sure he'll put down his principles, which will never change. You'll have an idea of what he wants to see, and I have to support him in that, and it's about how things work, how things will transpire over time.

“Obviously game day is the main aspect of everything, but it's about the work we do day in, day out. It's about the behaviours, not only of us, but what we can influence on the players, and we'll go from there.

“We need to get to know the players quickly – I think that's always the key – and build relationships as soon as we can. But equally we've got to see the dynamic of the group. We've got to see the dynamic of individuals.

“We've got to speak to the captain, the leadership group – all these things that come into the melting pot for us to be successful, so I'm looking forward to it.”