STUART McCall will today put pen to paper on a two-year deal to take the reins at Valley Parade, the Telegraph & Argus understands.

The legendary former midfielder has agreed to return to the club where he enjoyed two stints as a player and one as a manager.

Confirmation of McCall’s appointment is expected later today and a press conference will follow tomorrow or Wednesday.

McCall returned to the UK over the weekend after a family holiday in Tenerife and is set to appoint Kenny Black, who served as his right-hand man at Motherwell, as his assistant.

McCall left City in February 2010 after a 133-game reign admitting he was drained by the job but recently insisted he is a "very different" manager now.

The Scot lost more games than he won during his first managerial spell in charge at Bradford but has since enjoyed stints at Motherwell, Rangers and the Scotland national side.

City spoke to several candidates but McCall emerged as the first-choice to succeed Phil Parkinson, who recently left to take the reins at League One rivals Bolton Wanderers.

McCall’s priority will be to bolster his squad with new recruits after several players returned to their parent clubs following loan spells at Valley Parade last term.