Football: Saints dispense with Van Gobbel

Dave Jones yesterday continued his rebuilding job at Southampton by dispensing with the services of the Dutch defender, Ulrich van Gobbel.

The big 26-year-old had been linked with Celtic, coached by his compatriot Wim Jansen, but instead returned to his former team, Feyenoord, for an undisclosed fee. Jones, the Southampton manager, gave Van Gobbel his last start for the club in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Barnsley want West Ham's Northern Ireland international striker Iain Dowie but have not been able to agree a fee with the Upton Park club. Tony Scully, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder, has completed his pounds 300,000 move from Crystal Palace to Manchester City.

Nigel Spackman has been confirmed as Sheffield United's manager, after taking over as caretaker in June following Howard Kendall's departure for Everton. "I will give it my all and just hope it's good enough," the 36-year-old former Chelsea midfielder said.

Bolton have decided not to sign the Marseilles forward, Marc Libbra, after a trial spell, while Eric Nixon's pounds 150,000 transfer from Tranmere to Stockport has collapsed after the veteran goalkeeper failed a medical on a knee injury.