Sammy Lee is set for a return to Liverpool as manager Rafael Benitez's assistant.

The former Bolton Wanderers manager is currently in talks with the club, where he has spent the bulk of his playing and coaching career, about taking the role.

Lee has been out of work since he was sacked by Bolton in October after just 14 matches in charge.

Following the departures of assistant manager Pako Ayesteran last August and first-team coach Alex Miller last week, the recruitment of Lee will boost Benitez's backroom staff.

The 49-year-old joined Liverpool as a trainee in 1976 and spent 10 years at the club, winning three league titles and two European Cups.

After he retired as a player he joined Graeme Souness's coaching staff at Liverpool in 1993, and remained at the club until 2004, having worked under subsequent managers Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier, to become part of the England set-up on a full-time basis.

Just a year later, he returned to club football to become Sam Allardyce's assistant at Bolton, and secured his first and only head coach role in April of last year following Allardyce's departure.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport