Football: Wednesday approach Atkinson

Sheffield Wednesday have turned to their former manager Ron Atkinson to help them out of their crisis after Howard Wilkinson declined the chance to return to Hillsborough.

Atkinson was approached last night after Wilkinson, who is 10 months into a four-year contract, opted to stay at the Football Association as technical director and the out of work manager is ready to take charge by the weekend and replace David Pleat, who was dismissed 10 days ago.

Previously at Wednesday during a spell in which he won the Coca-Cola Cup, Atkinson walked out of the club to join Aston Villa. However there is no compensation question with Atkinson, who has been on the sidelines since leaving Coventry over a year ago.

He may turn out to be a stop-gap appointment, but he is in a position of strength to negotiate the terms and money in the contract.

Atkinson was dismissed as a candidate by Wednesday sources last week and until Wilkinson's refusal there had been no official contact.

However, he was asked about filling the post yesterday and the job is his for the taking.