Reid takes over at Roker Park

Reid takes over at Roker Park

After replacing Mick Buxton as manager of Sunderland yesterday, Peter Reid called on the club's supporters to use their famous "Roker Roar" to aid his side's attempt to avoid relegation from the First Division. Sunderland, who have lost six of their last seven matches, have only seven more games to play this season.

Reid, 38, the former England, Everton and Bolton midfielder, played two matches for Bury early in the season but has been looking for a return to management since being sacked by Manchester City in August 1993.

"I have had offers from other clubs, but, without being big-headed, I was waiting until a job like the one with Sunderland came along," Reid said. "We have a very difficult task ahead, but I am sure with the help of the supporters we have a greater chance of staying up.

"We have a very difficult task ahead, but I am sure with the help of the supporters we have a greater chance of staying up.

"I saw Sunderland at Oldham earlier in the season, when I thought they were unfortunate to lose - but it's obvious where the problems lie."

Buxton, 51, succeeded Terry Butcher at his hometown club in December 1993. He had limited means to deal in the transfer market, but he did beat the deadline with the £600,000 purchase of the striker Brett Angell from Everton last week.

Another relegation-threatened club, Plymouth Argyle also said farewell to their player-manager Steve McCall, who resigned after less than three months in charge. McCall, who took his decision after a meeting with the chairman, Don McCauley, yesterday, was appointed in January as successor to Peter Shilton. Plymouth are struggling to avoid falling into the Third Division.

The former Plymouth manager, Dave Smith, who is running a coaching school in Devon, is being tipped to take charge again at Home Park in a caretaker capacity. Another possible candidate is Russell Osman, who was sacked by Bristol City earlier this season and is Plymouth's reserve team player- coach on a non-contract basis.

McCall will stay as a player to see out a contract that has another year to run.

Kevin Campbell, the Arsenal striker, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after having an operation on a back injury. Campbell has had micro-surgery on a disc problem and will not be able to train for another six weeks. He has already spent five weeks flat on his back after aggravating the injury, which he first suffered in the FA Cup replay with Millwall at Highbury in January.

The club had better news of another striker, Alan Smith, who is expected to resume training next week following knee surgery. Smith has not played since damaging his cartilage in the first cup match against Millwall.

Internazionale are believed to be pursuing Eric Cantona more vigorously. The Milan club has apparently contacted Manchester United's chairman, Martin Edwards, in the hope of reaching an agreement to sign the French international. Cantona is banned from playing anywhere in the world until October after his fracas with a fan at Selhurst Park in January.