NICK Barmby believes Hull City's aspiring stars can look up to a "great mentor" after promoting Kevin Kilbane to his Tigers' backroom team.

Kilbane has taken up the role of development coach at the KC for the remainder of the season and has assumed responsibility of leading City's reserve team.

The 35-year-old is currently sidelined with a long-standing back injury and faces a race to be fit before the end of the season in just 10 weeks.

Barmby will not yet rule out Kilbane as a player in City's bid for promotion but the Tigers boss is delighted to see the veteran currently offering his wisdom as a coach.

"Kev has taken on the role of development coach and we're delighted that he is," said Barmby.

"The wealth of experience he brings is huge. We're talking about a guy with 100 plus caps for his country so the kids have got a great mentor.

"Killer is a very bright kid and I'm sure he'll be a great asset for us.

"I'm still hopeful that he won't give up on his football just yet because I still believe he's got a good couple of years in him.

"That decision is obviously down to Killer but he shouldn't rule out playing again. Someone with his experience would still have a lot to offer."

Kilbane has not featured for the Tigers since December 2010 and has since spent time out on loan with Huddersfield and Derby.

A back injury that flared up in October needed surgery at the turn of the year and led Kilbane to admit his international career with Republic of Ireland is all but over.

The veteran will see his City contract expire this summer and speculation across the Irish Sea yesterday linked him with the vacant post as boss of Sligo Rovers.

Kilbane earned the respect of Barmby after he split the final year of a lucrative Premier League contract over two seasons following City's relegation from the top flight in 2010, and he would be welcomed in a long-term post with the Tigers.

This summer will see Kilbane make a final decision over his future, but Barmby is certain his former team-mate will have a bright future in management.

"Time will tell when he comes back from the injury but I think he'll be fine," he added.

"Ultimately, the decision will be made by Kev, but it would be great to see him stay on the coaching staff.

"I think he's got ambitions to go into coaching long-term and I'm sure he'll be very good at it."

Detailing how the promotion to player-coach with the Tigers unfolded, Barmby added: "It's something we've spoken about over the last six months really.

"He's got a lot of respect at the club for what he did last year when he deferred his wages.

"He split his contract in two which is something people overlook but there's certainly not many players who would choose to do that.

"There's an affinity with the club after something like that and I'm sure he'll be a very good coach."

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