Football: Fish set to join Bolton

Bolton are to sign the South African centre-half Mark Fish in a pounds 2m deal from the Italian side, Lazio. Colin Todd, the Bolton manager, hopes to have the defender - who turned down a trial at Manchester United last year - in his team for the opening game at the Reebok Stadium on 1 September, when they face Everton.

Bolton have also finally secured the signature of Peter Beardsley, whose pounds 300,000 transfer from Newcastle was agreed yesterday. He looks set to make his debut at Coventry on Saturday.

Leeds United are to take internal disciplinary action against Tomas Brolin following the Swedish international's outburst against manager George Graham yesterday, in which he accused Graham of trying to kick him out of Leeds.

Brolin is now certain to find himself frozen out permanently, with Graham likely to step up his bid to try and sell him and recoup some money before the Bosman ruling takes effect.

Barnsley are to hold talks with West Ham's unsettled striker Iain Dowie today in a bid to persuade the Northern Ireland international to move to Oakwell.

Celtic appear to have failed in their attempt to bring Paul Lambert back to Scotland. The Parkhead side, desperate for reinforcements after a disastrous start to their Scottish League Premier Division campaign, were believed to have agreed a pounds 2m fee for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

However, Celtic's general manager, Jock Brown, is now thought to have decided against a deal, while the player's agent, Jim Melrose, was unimpressed by the offer.

Notts County, currently leading the Third Division, have been issued with a transfer embargo from the Football League after failing to pay players' signing-on fees.