Jones hoping to add former Leeds and Forest boss to his backroom staff

The 62-year-old is hugely experienced within the game, having also managed the likes of Chesterfield, Barnsley, Rushden & Diamonds, Portsmouth, QPR, Crystal Palace and Swindon during his career.

He worked with Jones when the duo were at Charlton between 2012-2013, with Hart’s role Academy Director at the Addicks, while Jones was U21s coach.

Hart then moved to Notts County, before returning to Leeds as Academy Director and U21 manager in August, a positionb he left this week due to personal reasons.

Jones is yet to appoint a number two and when asked if it could be Hart, he said: “He’s someone I know very, very well. He’s someone who I worked closely with and someone I would love to bring to the club for lots of reasons.

“He’s a very close friend of mine and someone who is vastly experienced, so that’s in the process, if there’s something that may be done.

“I’ll speak to the relevant people, I’d have to speak to Leeds because he’s only just actually become available, but he’s someone who I respect highly.

“I’ve worked for him, had one of my best years in football with him in terms of working alongside him at Charlton and he’s a real, real good friend of mine.

“He’s someone who I value his opinion, he’s left Leeds for personal reasons, so we’ll have to see where he’s at.”

Jones admitted that Hart was one of the first people he would turn to when looking for advice too, as he added: “He was Academy manager at Charlton and sort of brought me in, but he’s been a little bit of a mentor for me in terms of that year and ever since.

“I’ve had a number of opportunities to go and do things and I’ve always gone to him for advice.

“He was probably one of the principal ones I would go to for advice and things and I always wanted to work with him again, so it’s one of those things.

“If there is a possibility we can do something, then that would be a real good addition to our team.”