MICHAEL Svensson said he no longer has to feel helpless after becoming a first team assistant coach.

The 33-year-old fought back to fitness at the start of the season following three years out with a knee injury.

After being unveiled as club captain, he was involved in the first few games of the campaign, but hasn’t played since the 3-1 Carling Cup defeat at Rotherham in September.

The former Swedish international admitted it had been difficult not to be able to have much of an impact on the club’s fortunes this season.

But, after being asked by new head coach Mark Wotte to join him as an assistant, Svensson is delighted to have a key, albeit different, role again.

“As club captain you try to work with the players, but it’s difficult when you’re not in the dressing room, or at away games or there at half-time,” he said.

“You can’t affect it, so it’s been difficult.

“Now I will do this instead and try to give the players my knowledge in terms of my experience of playing."

For full story and all the build up ahead of tonight's crucial match against Norwich, see today's Daily Echo.