Football: Graham sets sights on pounds 1.5m Ainsworth

THE LEEDS United manager, George Graham, plans to sign Gareth Ainsworth, the Port Vale Winger for pounds 1.5m this week.

Graham has made an approach for flying right winger, who only joined Vale during last season from Lincoln City in a record pounds 500,000 move. The Vale manager, John Rudge, does not want to sell Ainsworth, but the chance to join Leeds will tempt to player to leave.

The clubs will try to sort out a fee in the next few days as Graham continues his summer spending spree. Ainsworth would be his third capture in a pounds 5m push.

Plymouth Argyle have sacked their manager, Mick Jones. In a statement, the club's chief executive, Roger Matthews, said the board of directors had reluctantly terminated Jones' contract.

He said: "Having considered the position and performance of the team over the whole of last season it was felt that a change was necessary.

"This is regretted but believed to be in the best interest of the club.

"Negotiations will take place with Mick Jones to buy out his contract to compensate him for the year still outstanding on our agreement."

The favourites to take over at Home Park are Plymouth- based duo Kevin Hodges and Steve McCall, who led Torquay United to the Third Division play-off finals last season.

Bradford City are ready to sell the Swedish striker Robert Steiner, to the Dutch club Utrecht for pounds 250,000.