Peterborough United boss addresses rumours of a return for club legend Craig Mackail-Smith

The former striker - who sits sixth on the club’s all-time scoring charts with 104 goals - was spotted out on the training pitch with new boss Williams in behind-the-scenes footage captured in the past week, ahead of Posh’s 5-0 win over Wimbledon on Saturday.

The appearance of Mackail-Smith fuelled rumours he could be making a return to the club on Williams’ coaching staff. Speaking at his unveiling last month, Williams said the only addition to the existing coaching staff he was planning on making was adding Ryan Harley as his assistant manager and this is still the case.

Mackail-Smith, who had three spells at the club as a player, has a close relationship with Williams and was simply invited to the club’s training ground for a one-off visit on this occasion.

Mackail-Smith left Posh to join Brighton and Hove Albion in 2011 and remained at the AMEX until 2015. During most of this time, Williams was coaching at the club managing the Seagulls’ under 21 and reserve sides.

When asked by the Peterborough Telegraph about Mackail-Smith, the Posh boss was full of praise for the former forward and insisted he was welcome back anytime but that he has not been offered a formal coaching role by the club.

Mackail-Smith left his role as a strength and conditioning coach at National League side Woking in June.

Williams said: “He’s someone that I have known for a long time and I really like and respect him as a person.

"This is his club, he is in the history books here and it was wonderful to have him in, but there’s nothing more to it at the moment. He was brilliant though and he is welcome to come in at any time.

"Potentially we could have just watched his highlight reel and that would have been enough for the lads to get the gist about putting the ball in the back of the net like we did.

"He is a great guy, a legend here and it was lovely to have his presence at the training ground.”