FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

ITALIAN footballers yesterday called a strike for next weekend in a protest to seek more say in how the sport is governed.

The strike is led by players in Serie A, the premier division, with players from the two lower divisions expected to follow.

``Contrary to past threats, this time we don't see a quick resolution,'' said Juventus forward Gianluca Vialli, a member of the Italian Players Association (AIC), after talks broke down.

The AIC claim the authorities were disregarding their opinions and want the abolition of transfer fees for players out of contract to be implemented at the end of the season, and a limit on the number of players a club can field from outside the European Union.

q.BRIAN Reid yesterday returned to Morton, completing his #150,000 signing from Rangers, and will face Dunfermline tonight in a vital first division promotion game.

Dunfermline defender Marc Millar is back from a five-game ban and Ian Westwater will be in goal, replacing Guido Van De Kamp.

Meanwhile, Dave Bowman last night vowed to win another fitness battle to ensure Dundee United overcome their Scottish Cup nightmare of Parkhead.

He beat the odds in order to play in Sunday's quarter-final against Celtic ..... and then suffered mental anguish as United were pipped at the post by two late goals.

Bowman pledged: ``There were plenty of positive things for us to take out of the tie - and we have to ensure we concentrate on them for the rest of the season.''

He aggravated the groin problem on Sunday but expects to lead United against Dundee at Tannadice on Saturday and believes the derby match could be a tonic. Striker Gary McSwegan was another Parkhead casualty, with a hamstring strain.

q.CHELSEA manager Glenn Hoddle is ready to move for Arsenal's transfer-seeking Ian Wright - if the Gunners say he can go. Hoddle had one approach for the #3m-rated England striker rejected, but his hopes were boosted at the weekend when Wright slapped in a request for a move.

Today's fixtures

European Under-21 Championship. Quarter-final. First-leg - Hungary v Scotland (4.0).

Bell's Scottish League. Division 1 - Greenock Morton v Dunfermline. Division 2 - Montrose v Clyde. Division 3 - Caledonian Thistle v Alloa (3.0).

Premier Reserve League - Motherwell v Hearts (Shotts, 1.30).

Reserve Leagues. East - Berwick Rangers v Hibernian. West - St Mirren v Greenock Morton.

Youth League - Alloa v Rangers (7.0).

FA Carling Premiership - Chelsea v Manchester City (7.45).

Endsleigh League. Div 1 - Birmingham v Huddersfield, Crystal Palace v Tranmere, Grimsby v Wolverhampton, Oldham v Sunderland, Port Vale v Stoke, West Bromwich v Watford (all 7.45). Div 2 - Blackpool v Burnley, Bradford v Swindon (7.45), Brighton v Oxford United (7.45), Hull v Chesterfield, Notts County v York (7.45), Walsall v Crewe (7.45), Wrexham v Bournemouth, Swansea v Brentford. Div 3 - Darlington v Hereford, Exeter v Cardiff (7.45), Hartlepool v Fulham, Rochdale v Preston (7.45), Torquay v Gillingham (7.45).

Auto Windscreens Shield. Final. Second leg: North - Carlisle v Rotherham (7.45). South - Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury.

(Kick-offs 7.30 unless stated)

Played yesterday

PREMIER RESERVE LEAGUE

Partick Thistle 0, Rangers 0.

RESERVE LEAGUES

Clydebank 2 (Flannigan, Teale), Stenhousemuir 1 (trialist).

Dumbarton 1 (Glancy), Airdrie 3 (Jack, Wilson, Rankin).

Dunfermline 3, Brechin City 2.

Forfar 1 (Gardiner), Dundee 1 (Cargill).

Hamilton 1 (McIntosh), Clyde 1 (Muir).

St Johnstone 4 (English, Cherry, Young, Reynolds), East Fife 0.

FA CUP. SIXTH ROUND

Manchester United 2 (Cantona, Sharpe), Southampton 0.