Pompey for the Guy

Guy Whittingham has returned to Portsmouth, having been recalled from his loan prematurely. The reason being that Portsmouth manager Tony Pulis has been given four months leave to pursue his court action against Gillingham for wrongful dismissal. In Pulis's stead they have appointed Steve Claridge as caretaker boss and he wants Whittingham to be his assistant. For the remainder of the month Whittingham won't be able to play for Portsmouth as he is still under contract to play for United, according to Denis Smith, who expressed his disappointment that the only United striker to find the net since April (with a goal per game ratio) will no longer be available. Meanwhile another former United striker, John Durnin, has signed for Kidderminster Harriers after being a free agent.

Managerial manoeuvring

Reading have offered coach Martin Allen an extension to his contract to the end of 2003 (along with manager Alan Pardew), bringing to an end any speculation that he might be becoming United's new manager. Gillingham coach Richard Hill is also being loosely associated with the vacancy, although this is based more on idle speculation, Hill still having family in the city. Being an ex-player means that it was only a matter of time before his name was mentioned anyway. Southport boss Mark Wright is now the favourite to take over following Steve Cotterill's rejection of improved terms yesterday. More worrying is the imminent availability of Port Vale's Brian Horton, against whom the Vale fans are mounting a demonstration on Saturday following Vale's crap start to the season (after all, they could only beat United 3-0).