LONDON (AFP) - Ray Wilkins has been appointed as the new assistant head coach of Premier League strugglers Fulham, the club announced on Monday.

The 57-year-old returns for a second stint at Craven Cottage having managed the then-Second Division club between 1997 and 1998 before being replaced by Kevin Keegan.

Rene Meulensteen, who replaced Martin Jol as manager on Dec 1, welcomed the arrival of Wilkins, a player-manager of QPR between 1994 and 1996 and later assistant manager at both Millwall and Chelsea.

"I am delighted that the chairman and the CEO have, again, backed my desire for further experience and support within the backroom staff," Dutchman Meulensteen said.

"Retaining our status of being a Barclays Premier League club next season is vitally important to our long-term plans, and I know that Ray's own experience and his knowledge of the game will be a vital component in our success."

Wilkins' arrival follows the appointment of Alan Curbishley as first-team technical director last week, and comes days after a 6-0 mauling at the hands of Hull that left the club in the bottom three.

"The addition of Ray, along with that of Alan Curbishley on Christmas Eve, provides the club with the experience and expertise necessary as it aims to secure Barclays Premier League status for a 14th consecutive season," Fulham said in a statement.