MANCHESTER CITY's rather embarrassing search for a new manager is expected to end today with the appointment of Crystal Palace's Dave Bassett.
Bassett is the only man to have expressed more than a passing interest in succeeding Alan Ball who resigned his post late last month after City's lacklustre opening to the new season.
Unless Bassett falls victim to the sort of 11th hour change of heart which prompted George Graham to withdraw his name from City's provisional short list, he will depart from Palace less than a year after taking charge at Selhurst Park.
Bassett discussed the possibility of becoming City's 16th manager in just 25 years towards the end of last week and is, it would seem, keen to undertake one of the most demanding, most thankless, jobs in English football.
Although Bassett transformed Crystal Palace's fortunes last season, leading them to the First Division play off final, his working relationship with his chairman, Ron Noades, has been under considerable strain in recent months.
After his seven years in charge at Sheffield United, Bassett does still have a family home in the north of England. While he is expected to attend City's English League Cup second round, first leg tie at Lincoln City this evening, he will leave team selection in the hands of the club's current caretaker manager, Asa Hartford.
Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards undertook a spot of shuttle diplomacy yesterday when he travelled to Spain in the hope of persuading Barcelona they should willingly part company with highly rated defender Miguel Nadal. A matter of a few hours after publicly insisting he had no intention of re opening negotiations, Edwards was seen to be boarding a flight, cheque book in hand.
Nadal had been expected to formally complete his move to Old Trafford yesterday after the two clubs had agreed on a fee of £2.4 million late last week.
However, at the weekend, Barcelona coach Bobby Rob son surprisingly insisted that Nadal was definitely not for sale. "I am aware of the problems but I do remain confident a deal will go through, said United manager Alex Ferguson.
Meanwhile, Roy Keane is expected to return to, the United squad for the first time this sea son against Aston Villa on Saturn day. Keane has been sidelined after a knee operation.
. Celtic skipper Paul McStay has hit back at the rumour mongers who say his career is finished. McStay is currently sidelined with an ankle injury which has required two operations in the past.
The 31 year old Scotland international was told by specialists to take a complete rest from football for four to six weeks.
Yesterday he declined to set a deadline on his return for the Parkhead club but shot down whispers that he won't pull on the Hoops again.
"I have heard the rumours and heard another couple again today," said McStay. "But as long as I know the truth and so does Tommy Burns and our physio Brian Scott then it doesn't bother me.
