Jack Wilshere is poised to be part of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City backroom team for Sunday’s Championship homecoming against Middlesbrough.

Wilshere has been headhunted from his role as Arsenal’s Under-18s boss to replace Narcis Pelach, who left to join Stoke City recently.

The former Gunners and England midfielder took charge of his final academy game, a 4-2 home defeat to Aston Villa’s U18s last weekend, prior to finalising his Emirates’ exit.

City have agreed a compensation figure for Wilshere, who is believed to have been at the club’s Colney’s training base last week.

“When is the next press conference? Friday? Can I say something to you on Friday?” joked Thorup on Monday, ahead of the midweek trip to Preston. “We hope at least we can get the candidate in. But it's all a matter of timing and it's not the ideal day today, and, of course, tomorrow we’re not in the building. Wednesday is a day off, so it's about timing.

"But I think we are close to really finding that candidate that fits us well and will be a good member of the staff. One who can support the group and give us some inspiration, also from outside, which is what we want. Hopefully before the Sunday game, we have some news.

“I would actually go back to summertime, where we spoke about players leaving us, where my response to that was I think we have to make sure we have people in the building that will be interesting for other clubs.

"It's the same if we have to bring in people, they can see, ‘Okay, this is a special club. We're about to build something special, an environment, a culture and a way of playing that is exciting’.

“People want to be here, and people from outside see the connection we have because it creates some interest and it creates excitement. That's what we want. Hopefully we get in a good first team coach. That's what we need.”