Bradford in pursuit of Atkinson

Bradford City want Ron Atkinson to come out of retirement and guide their fight for Premiership survival. The former Manchester United and Aston Villa manager helped Sheffield Wednesday beat the drop in 1997-98, but swore his managerial days were over after presiding over Nottingham Forest's relegation the following season. Atkinson is now working as an ITV pundit and has been out of management for over 18 months.

Bradford City want Ron Atkinson to come out of retirement and guide their fight for Premiership survival. The former Manchester United and Aston Villa manager helped Sheffield Wednesday beat the drop in 1997-98, but swore his managerial days were over after presiding over Nottingham Forest's relegation the following season. Atkinson is now working as an ITV pundit and has been out of management for over 18 months.

Other leading candidates for the Bradford post include Wigan's Bruce Rioch and Jim Jefferies, who walked out on Hearts this week but has been recommended for the post by Tottenham's director of football, David Pleat, who was Bradford's first choice to replace Chris Hutchings.

Cardiff City hope to persuade Carlton Palmer to join them as player-coach. The Welsh club have approached Coventry City about their veteran midfielder, who Gordon Strachan may want to retain to shore up his squad. Palmer, who is currently suspended, has admitted he wants to break into management and he may take this opportunity to cut his teeth in the Third Division. The former England international was on the shortlist for the Huddersfield Town vacancy, but lost out to Lou Macari and Joe Jordan.

The former Norwich and Everton manager Mike Walker has been hired by the Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. The struggling club's worst start to a season in 40 years has been accompanied by crowd violence and fan protests, with their Serb coach Toza Sapuric being sacked three weeks ago. Walker, 54, is expected in Cyprus today to agree terms. It will be his first management job since his second spell at Norwich ended in April 1998.

Rangers are considering a loan move for the Liverpool forward Titi Camara with a view to a permanent deal. Camara looks set to leave Anfield after falling out of favour under Gérard Houllier this season.

The Bolton Wanderers manager, Sam Allardyce, is ready to sign the Norwegian international centre-back Kjetil Pedersen. The 25-year-old arrived at the Reebok Stadium for talks yesterday and could join on a free transfer from the Swedish side Elfsborg.

Bolton's move for Colin Hendry is in doubt because they cannot afford to take him on loan for the rest of the season. Wigan Athletic are set to sign the Danish defender Stefan Bidstrup for £250,000 from Lyngby.

Aberdeen are to give a trial to the experienced Frenchman Alex Di Rocco. The 29-year-old has struggled to hold down a first-team place with the surprise French league leaders, Sedan, despite scoring 10 times in 30 appearances last season.

* Derby County's Chris Riggott has benefited from Peter Taylor's decision to upgrade many of the players he managed as England's Under-21 coach to the senior squad. Although Riggott only made his Premierhsip debut in September, he has won a place in Howard Wilkinson's 22-man Under-21 squad for the friendly against Italy in Monza on 14 November, alongside his Rams' club-mate Malcolm Christie.