New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is still waiting for a decision from Gary McAllister about moving to Villa Park.
The Guardian says Houllier has finally come to an agreement with the French Football Federation, where he has been under contract as technical director, which means he will not have to serve his three-month notice period in full. He will watch the Bolton Wanderers match on Saturday from the stand before taking his place in the dug-out when Villa host Blackburn four days later, although it is unclear whether McAllister, the first-team coach at Middlesbrough, will be alongside him.
Gordon Strachan, the Middlesbrough manager, is expected to clarify the situation at a press conference today, although last night there were suggestions from within the Championship club that McAllister was giving serious consideration to remaining on Teesside and that it was far from a foregone conclusion that he would move to Villa. McAllister has built a strong bond with the Middlesbrough players and is settled in the north. He is also said to feel a sense of loyalty towards Strachan for employing him four months ago.
