Barrow out at Wigan

Football

NICK DUXBURY

Graham Barrow was yesterday dismissed as the manager of Wigan Athletic following the Third Division club's 6-2 home defeat by Mansfield Town.

The 41-year-old Barrow, who played 200 games for Wigan during a previous spell at Springfield Park, had his contract terminated because the board "did not feel the club was going in the right direction on the playing side".

Barrow, who rejoined Wigan in September last year when he replaced Kenny Swain as manager, said: "I do not think there is any justification for it. Saturday's result was the only real blemish in 12 months." Alex Cribley, the club's coach, has taken temporary charge.

Bolton last night made an ambitious pounds 1.2m move for Yugoslav midfielder, Dragan Curcic, last night. The 21-year-old OFK Belgrade striker arrives at struggling Wanderers today and could make his debut against Everton on Saturday if his work permit comes through. Bolton also hope to sign Motherwell's Scottish international defender, Rob McKinnon, formerly with Hartlepool.

The Everton striker, Daniel Amokachi, has been called up by Nigeria for next week's Afro-Asian Cup tie in Uzbekistan and will miss the European Cup-Winners' Cup second round, first leg tie against Feyenoord.

Amokachi and Everton's other injured foreign player, Andrei Kanchelskis, will make their comebacks in tonight's reserve match at home to Blackburn.

The Everton full-back, Matt Jackson, has ended speculation about a swap deal involving David Hirst, the Sheffield Wednesday striker, by signing a new two-year contract.