DORCHESTER Reserves’ manager Rich Robson is set to link-up with Portland United’s coaching staff as assistant-manager to boss Simon Browne.

Robson will join Browne at Grove Corner, filling in for current Portland number two Carl Mutch, who is reducing his involvement with the club owing to work commitments.

But Mutch is expected to remain a part of the Blues’ coaching set-up despite stepping away from the number two role.

Portland boss Browne told Echosport that Robson, who remains manager of the Magpies’ reserves, will add “a different dynamic” to the Blues’ coaching network.

He said: “Carl’s got some work commitment issues. He runs his own business and he’s very, very busy at the moment.

“He said a couple of weeks ago he was possibly going to have to step back from football commitments at weekends because of his work commitments,” Browne said.

“So I approached Rich, obviously I know him from our time at Dorchester together. He’s very ambitious to progress in football. He’s only young, he’s keen and he brings a different dynamic to our training nights and to games.

“It’s an opportunity for him to experience a bit more first-team football. Hopefully we’re going to dovetail (the two roles) together because most of the reserves’ games are on nights when we don’t have games or training.

“He’s got a degree and he’s done his coaching badges so he’s got some letters behind him in terms of what he’s done,” Browne added.

Speaking to Echosport about his new position, Robson felt the opportunity at Portland would give him a “more rounded CV”.

He said: “A little bit of senior football is going to help me out. I’m just hoping that I get a season under my belt here, as well as what I’m doing at Dorchester, and that will give me a more-rounded CV for the future.

“One’s midweek and one’s more of a weekend. I’ll have to get used to the players and attitudes that they have in this league.

“It’s a different sort of atmosphere, it’s different thoughts, different attitudes, a different approach and understanding of the game.”

Robson also felt that the Blues’ current ties with Dorchester would help him settle into his new appointment.

“That is quite a good tie. We know what’s going on better than most. Working with players in two places you get familiar so it’s for my benefit and theirs,” he said.