Sport in Short: Football

HALIFAX TOWN have confirmed the appointment of the former Birmingham and Blackburn defender, Mick Rathbone, as their 23rd post-war manager, with the former Scarborough full-back, Alan Kamara, as his assistant. The 34-year-old Rathbone took temporary charge following the resignation of John McGrath last month.

NIGEL CALLAGHAN, the 30-year-old former Watford, Derby and Aston Villa winger, is training with Millwall and playing in their reserve team.

ITALY have omitted the Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli from their 18-man squad for next week's home friendly with Mexico.

ITALIAN SQUAD (v Mexico, 20 January, Florence): Goalkeepers: Pagliuca (Sampdoria), Marchegiani (Torino); Defenders: Costacurta, Baresi, Maldini (all AC Milan), Lanna, Mannini, Vierchowod (all Sampdoria); Midfielders: Albertini (Milan), Bianchi (Internazionale), D Baggio (Juventus), Di Mauro (Fiorentina), Corini (Sampdoria); Forwards: Lentini (Milan), R Baggio, Casiraghi (both Juventus), Mancini (Sampdoria), Signori (Lazio).

FA YOUTH CUP Fourth-round draw: Nottingham Forest v Preston North End or Manchester City; Stoke City or Leeds United v Queen's Park Rangers or Coventry City; Norwich City v Chelsea; Manchester United v Fulham or Wimbledon; Sheffield United v Liverpool or Bradford City; Millwall v Wycombe Wanderers or Brighton and Hove Albion; Bristol City v Swindon Town; West Bromwich Albion or York City v Leyton Orient. (Ties to be played before 6 February).