Evans is poised for manager's role at Swindon

Roy Evans, the former Liverpool manager, is ready to return to football management at Swindon Town with Neil Ruddock as his assistant. Evans will be offered the job at the Second Division side, who are poised to sack Andy King after only a few months in charge.

Evans has been waiting for a return to a managerial job since leaving Anfield three seasons ago. Ruddock – a free agent since leaving Crystal Palace – will renew his acquaintance with his former manager at Anfield.

Crystal Palace's manager, Steve Bruce, hopes to sign his former Manchester United team-mate, Jovan Kirovski, the United States striker, who has been playing for Palace in secret on their pre-season trip to Spain. Kirovski is available from Sporting Lisbon for around £600,000.

The Californian was with United for a few seasons but had work permit problems. However as a full international Kirovski would be allowed into Britain now.

Buoyed by the money they received from Manchester United for Juan Sebastian Veron last week, Lazio have made an offer for Gaizka Mendieta. Valencia have accepted but have not confirmed the fee, which is believed to be £27.4m, less than the £36m the club wanted from Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid have told Fulham they must pay £6m to buy the midfielder Hugo Leal, who is Portugal's Under-21 captain.

Birmingham City are making an £2m bid to sign Sean Gregan from Preston North End.

The Bulgarian international Radostin Kishishev will miss the start of Charlton's season due to a cruciate ligament problem picked up in his country's match with Northern Ireland last month.

Scotland have slipped further down the world rankings to 37th place, just ahead of Egypt, South Korea and Slovenia. The Scots have been penalised for not playing matches in June when rivals were in action. They have slipped down five places since May and 12 since the end of 2000.

France remain top ahead of Brazil and Argentina and Germany have moved up three places to fifth behind Italy. England drop a place to 14th, equal with Colombia. The Republic of Ireland are 23rd, Wales 105th and Northern Ireland 106th.