Crawley Town are poised to confirm Harry Kewell as their new manager.

Reds have lined up the former Leeds United and Liverpool forward to replace Dermot Drummy, who was sacked two weeks ago.

Kewell – who played in two World Cups for Australia – is expected to be unveiled by the League Two club next week.

It will be the 38-year-old’s first job in senior management since calling time on a glittering playing career three years ago which saw him win the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool.

He was appointed as coach of Watford under-21s in July 2015 after completing his UEFA A licence but was axed last month following a poor run of results.

Reds owner Ziya Eren is willing to take a gamble on another inexperienced manager having appointed former Arsenal and Chelsea academy coach Drummy 13 months ago to replace Mark Yates.

Drummy made an encouraging start to his tenure at the Checkatrade Stadium but Eren lost patience after Crawley won just once in their last 14 games to finish 19th in League Two.

Kewell was among the frontrunners to take over the reins at Newcastle Jets but has instead jumped at the chance to prove his credentials in the Football League.

Meanwhile, Crawley have made their first signing of the summer by bringing veteran midfielder Dannie Bulman back to the club for a third stint.

The 38-year-old has agreed a one-year deal, with an option for another year, after being released by League One side AFC Wimbledon.

Bulman has made 276 appearances for Reds and was part of the side which won back-to-back promotions from the Football Conference to League One before joining the Dons in 2014.

He said: “Crawley is a club close to my heart. I was gutted when I had to leave three years ago but it’s great to be back at the start of what is going to be an exciting era for the club with a new manager coming in.

“There aren’t many lads who were here before but the set-up here is very familiar. I’m fit and raring to go and I’m looking forward to making a big contribution next season.”