Steve Cooper is poised to recruit highly-rated set-piece coach Andrew Hughes to his new-look Leicester staff after fighting off interest from Brentford.

The Welshman has wasted no time putting together his backroom team after signing a three-year deal with the Foxes and the appointment of Hughes, regarded as one of the best in his area, is a coup.

Brentford had included Hughes, who leaves Norwich, on their list of possible replacements for set-piece specialist Bernardo Cueva, who joined Chelsea earlier this year, and Mail Sport understands he was set to be offered the role by the Bees.

But it appears the former Reading and Leeds United player has been sufficiently impressed by Cooper's plans, and Leicester's state-of-the-art training base, to consider making the move to the East Midlands instead.

During their last two seasons in the Premier League, Leicester were hugely weak at defending set pieces – a significant factor in their decline from European challengers to relegation and Cooper is determined they will be more robust in the campaign ahead.

Steve Cooper is poised to recruit a highly-rated set-piece coach to his new-look Leicester staff

During Cooper's final weeks in charge of Nottingham Forest, set-piece coach Simon Rusk moved to the City Ground. The move did not help them defensively, however, as Forest – even after Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Cooper – ended the campaign with 22 goals conceded from dead-ball situations.

Enzo Maresca took six coaches with him when he left Leicester for Chelsea earlier this month meaning Cooper has effectively a clean slate, and the 44-year-old always saw a set-piece coach as a key part of the puzzle.