Ray Wilkins is set to make a dramatic and emotional return to Chelsea as a replacement for Steve Clarke – just in time to face his old club Manchester United.

The Chelsea great is in talks with the club over a role as assistant manager to Luiz Felipe Scolari and an announcement could be made as early as today.

Wilkins, who joined the club as a schoolboy and became their youngest ever captain when given the armband aged 18 in 1975, is seen as the perfect man to replace Clarke given his popularity with fans and his long-time links with the club.

Not only did he make 198 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 34 goals, but he was also coach under Gianluca Vialli before departing along with the Italian in 2000.

Since then he has been an assistant to Dennis Wise at Millwall and worked alongside Peter Taylor with England Under 21s. But he has also maintained his links with the Blues – even playing regularly in the Chelsea Old Boys team.

Now the former England midfielder, who was 52 last week, is set to return to his spiritual home and will be seen a crucial part of Scolari's back-room team.

The Brazilian has always said he was keen to keep a British presence in his staff, especially as he saw Clarke as a vital link between himself and the players.

Wilkins, who won 84 England caps, was unable to confirm or deny the appointment last night and indicated nothing had yet been completed. But Chelsea hope to have him in place in time for Sunday's match against United at Stamford Bridge.

By coincidence, Wilkins is also a former United player, appearing 160 times for the club between 1979 and 1984.

His return to Chelsea will be a boost for Scolari who was shocked by Clarke's move to West Ham having formed a close bond with the Scotsman in a short space of time.

In a bid to keep Clarke, he offered him more responsibility but had to admit defeat when the coach resigned and Chelsea and West Ham agreed compensation after a brief row.