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Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare is set to appoint Oxford manager Michael Appleton as his No.2.

Shakespeare only penned a three-year deal of his own last week, when he was confirmed as Claudio Ranieri’s successor on a permanent basis.

But he has wasted no time in moving for his old mate and expects to make him his second signing, after snapping up £17million central defender Harry Maguire from relegated Hull on Thursday.

Shakespeare and Appleton worked together at West Brom, where they both began their careers in coaching, and they will reunite at the King Power Stadium.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Mick Stowell is already on the Foxes’ backroom team.

Appleton has enjoyed three successful seasons in charge at Oxford, leading the club to promotion from League Two in his second campaign and to a respectable eighth in League One last time out.

They also beat eventual Championship winners Newcastle in the FA Cup, another second-tier side Birmingham in the League Cup and got to Wembley in the EFL Trophy, where they lost the final to Coventry.

(Image: Getty)

However, there is uncertainty over the club’s ownership and that, coupled with the chance to once again work at Premier League level, has convinced him to make the move.

Appleton worked as Roy Hodgson’s assistant at The Hawthorns before stepping into management with Portsmouth in 2011.

He also had short-lived spells at Blackpool and Blackburn, before settling at the Kassam Stadium in 2014.