Ex-Arsenal defender Scott Marshall set to join Colchester United

The 49-year-old is expected to be announced as new boss Ben Garner's right-hand man, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Marshall has left his first-team assistant coach role at Charlton Athletic, where he had worked alongside Garner.

The former Arsenal youngster joined the Addicks last summer, after following Garner from previous club Swindon Town.

Charlton boss Dean Holden said: “Scott spoke with me and explained he wanted to move on. I wasn’t going to stand in his way.

“I’ve come in on my own and assessed all the staff.

"It now gives us the opportunity to potentially look to bring in another member of staff in, whether that’s now or at the end of the season.

“We wish Scott well. He’s been brilliant both on and off the pitch since I’ve come to the club and we wish him well.

“Everyone at the club would like to thank Scott for his efforts and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Marshall boasts an impressive coaching career spanning nearly 20 years.

Having emerged through the Arsenal academy, he went on to play 25 times for the North London club.

In his last season with the Gunners, he featured in their 1997-98 Premier League-winning team The Edinburgh-born defender also played for the likes of Southampton, Brentford and Wycombe Wanderers, where he retired as a player.

Marshall studied for a degree in Sports Science and Coaching and secured his UEFA coaching licence before embarking upon a coaching career.

He spent time at Brentford along with a spell in Oman, where he ran the Arsenal Soccer School in Muscat before returning to Wycombe to work alongside former U's boss Paul Lambert.

Marshall then spent time as Norwich City's U21 Development Squad Head Coach before linking up with Lambert again at Aston Villa, where he spent time in caretaker charge of the first team.

In 2017, he linked up with Reading as their under-23 boss and four years later, linked up with Garner at Swindon and then Charlton.