Football: Bullivant ends Reading rule

TERRY BULLIVANT has resigned as manager of Reading. His decision comes after the Elm Park club dropped closer to relegation from the First Division with a 3-0 defeat at Oxford on Tuesday.

Although they knocked Leeds United out of the Coca-Cola Cup earlier in the season, Reading have the worst defensive record in the First Division, having conceded 66 goals, and are currently second from bottom. Bullivant joined Reading from Barnet in June 1997,

Manchester City are ready to sign the midfielder Jamie Pollock from Bolton for pounds 800,000, and are also set to sign the West Bromwich striker Andy Hunt for pounds 300,000.

The injury-plagued defender Jason Drysdale, who cost pounds 340,000 from Newcastle in March 1995, has had his contract terminated by Swindon.

The Ipswich striker David Johnson has been offered the chance to play international football by Jamaica, where he was born, and by Northern Ireland. He was in the squad for England's Under-21 game against Greece last year, but did not play.