Cowdenbeath axe Cormack

Newly-appointed Cowdenbeath manager Peter Cormack has been dismissed by the Fife club without taking charge for even one game.

The shock move came last night, less than a fortnight after Cormack had been appointed to succeed Hearts-bound Craig Levein.

The Cowdenbeath chairman, Gordon McDougall, confirmed: “For reasons which I cannot discuss we have parted company with Peter.”

Assistant-manager Gary Kirk and ex-Hibs and Dundee striker Keith Wright, will take charge of the Third Division promotion-chasers tomorrow.

Hibernian manager Alex McLeish has put several of his brightest young prospects up for loan during the forthcoming winter shutdown.

McLeish said yesterday he is prepared to let striker Tom McManus and midfielders Ian Murray and Scott Bannerman continue to play in Scotland when their senior colleagues head to the Mediterranean.

He also wants Alan Reid and Hakim Sar Temsoury to stay in Scotland when the under-21 league is in shutdown.

New Dunfermline signing Gary Mason is rated doubtful for a debut against St Mirren tomorrow after sustaining an ankle injury in his last training session with Manchester City.

Clyde yesterday failed in their bid to overturn a 3,000 fine imposed on them by the Scottish Football League for fielding a weakened side in a Bells Challenge cup tie with Ross County.