Football: Paton steps down as Dunfermline manager

BERT PATON last night resigned as manager of the Scottish Premier League's bottom side, Dunfermline.

The former East End Park player, who took over at the club in 1993, has been replaced by his assistant, Dick Campbell.

Duncan Ferguson, who joined Newcastle United six weeks ago, yesterday had the operation he needed on his groin injury, and is expected to be out of action for six weeks. The Scot, signed for pounds 7m from Everton, aggravated the long-standing problem during the 4-2 defeat at Liverpool last month.

Everton expect to be without Ibrahima Bakayoko for the FA Cup fourth- round tie with Ipswich on 23 January. The striker is likely to be needed by the Ivory Coast for an African Nations Cup game the following day.

The Celtic striker Marko Viduka is expected to announce his return to the club today after insisting he needed a rest immediately after signing from Croatia Zagreb last month.