Football: Adams' merry-go-round halts at Griffin Park

Micky Adams has been appointed manager of the Second Division strugglers Brentford - his third job in six weeks.

Adams, who was released from Fulham when Kevin Keegan took over as chief operating officer. He then became manager of Swansea City - but his spell there lasted only 13 days after arguments over money to buy players.

Adams, who has been given a three-year contract, has already appointed Glenn Cockerill, a former colleague at Fulham, as his assistant player- manager.

The previous manager, Eddie May, and his assistant, Clive Walker, have been released, while the former manager, David Webb, is standing down as Brentford's chief executive, although he will keep working on a consultancy basis until his contract expires in May.

"Brentford are a bad team but there is potential here," Adams said. "The basis of the squad is the same as last season when they reached the play- offs." Angry fans demanded Webb's resignation in a protest after last night's 1-0 home defeat to Carlisle.

The Football Association is to launch an investigation after the Chester City manager, Kevin Ratcliffe, was found guilty of racial discrimination at an industrial tribunal.

It ruled that the former Wales defender should have been disciplined by the club for verbally abusing an apprentice, James Hussaney, who was awarded pounds 2,500 for "injury to feelings".

The tribunal ruled Ratcliffe did not discriminate against Hussaney by releasing him - he is now with Southport - but Steve Double, an FA spokesman, confirmed the FA wants to look into the case.

Brian Little, the Aston Villa manager, last night watched Niclas Alexandersson, the Swedish international midfielder, play for IFK Gothenburg against Besiktas in the Champions' League. Alexandersson, 25, is available for about pounds 1.5m.

Crewe have placed their much-coveted striker Dele Adebola on the transfer list. The pounds 1.5m-rated 22-year-old has been linked with West Ham and Sunderland this season.

Le Havre have enquired about the availability of Andy Hunt, West Bromwich Albion's top scorer, who becomes a free agent next summer.

Paul Lambert may make his debut for Celtic on Saturday in the Old Firm derby against Rangers at Ibrox. The 28-year-old Scotland midfielder will sign for Celtic today following a medical, after the Parkhead club agreed a pounds 1.7m deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Another of Celtic's internationals, Darren Jackson, may be in the squad to face their old rivals. Jackson, making his first appearance at Parkhead since brain surgery two months ago, equalised for the reserves in their 2-2 draw against Dunfermline on Tuesday.

The West Bromwich winger Kevin Kilbane has been recalled by the Republic of Ireland for the World Cup play-off second leg against Belgium in Brussels on 15 November.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD (World Cup play-off second leg v Belgium, Brussels, 15 November): Given (Newcastle), A Kelly (Sheffield Utd), G Kelly (Leeds); Cunningham (Wimbledon), Harte (Leeds), Breen (Coventry), Kenna (Blackburn), Irwin (Manchester Utd), Phelan (Everton), Fleming (Middlesbrough), Townsend (Middlesbrough), Staunton (Aston Villa), Houghton (Reading), McAteer (Liverpool), McLoughlin (Portsmouth), Carsley (Derby), Cascarino (Nancy), Kennedy (Liverpool), Connolly (Feyenoord), D Kelly (Tranmere), Coyne (Motherwell), Kilbane (West Bromwich).