Harry Redknapp used to let Kyel Reid skip school to train with Paolo Di Canio.

And on Saturday Reid gets the chance to show the old Italian master what lessons he picked up from those days at West Ham.

The City winger remembers watching wide-eyed as Di Canio and Jermain Defoe went through their tricks on the training ground.

Reid said: “I was only 14 or 15 and Harry Redknapp would get me to come in and train with the first team.

“I’d miss school to play with the pros and help out down there and Paolo would always do all this unbelievable stuff. He had great ability and technique.

“Then him and Defoe would stay behind after training for shooting practice. I’d just sit and watch them and think it would be great to be like that.”

Reid even shared a pitch with him last season when he turned out in a testimonial for West Ham’s academy stalwart Tony Carr.

“Di Canio and Gianfranco Zola both played. I was playing in the game but also watching him in action and he’s still got it.

“He was different class as a player. His all-round play was brilliant, his shooting and awareness with his passing.”

But Reid did not expect to see Di Canio step up to the manager’s hot-seat.

He added: “I didn’t ever think he would be a manager, although his name would always pop up whenever one got sacked at West Ham.

“I always thought he would come back to the club in a coaching role or behind the scenes. But I’m happy that he’s got the Swindon job and he seems to be enjoying it.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he’s back at West Ham. They love him there and still sing his songs during the games because he’s such a legend there.”