CHELSEA Under-18s head coach Ed Brand is reportedly in line to become Swindon Town's assistant once Jody Morris is confirmed as head coach.

While a deal for Morris has not yet been 100 per cent completed, there are not thought to be any obstacles in the way before an announcement can be made by Swindon.

In the meantime, Adver Sport understands Brand is currently negotiating with Town over becoming the club's new number two.

Chelsea youth's Twitter stated that Brand is 'believed to be on his way to Swindon' to join up with Morris again, and, as a result, Andy Ross and Jimmy Smith would take charge of the U18s' Premier League home clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime.

The 36-year-old was appointed the Blues' U18s head coach in the summer of 2019 after a two-year spell as Morris' assistant in which Chelsea's youngsters won every junior competition they entered.

The former Chelsea youth-team captain then stepped up to assist Joe Edwards with Chelsea's development squad in 2018 and helped guide the Blues to the UEFA Youth League final for a second successive season prior to taking the U18s' top role.

As a player, Brand emerged through Chelsea's academy before going out to America to play for San Jose State Spartans at university between 2005-08.

Brand retired after graduating and went on to re-join the West London club's set-up as a coach.