George Burley will return to football as head coach of Southampton today after two months out of the game.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has sent Southampton counterpart Rupert Lowe a fresh duck for Christmas – and claims it is his first move towards ending the feud between the pair.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe is continuing to interview candidates to replace Harry Redknapp, with little-known Dutchman Mark Wotte leaping to the top of his reported wish-list.