Dean Saunders has been appointed assistant manager to Wales boss John Toshack.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Derby striker, who won 75 caps for his country, replaces Salvador Iriarte, who has taken over as Real Sociedad's new technical director in the wake of their relegation from La Liga.

Saunders (43) was one of the unsuccessful candidates for the Wales job when Toshack was appointed in November 2004, and would now become a serious contender for the job when Toshack's reign ends.

Wales are in the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2008 qualifying group.