FORMER Town midfielder Chris Marsden has quit football because of injury.

The Sheffield Wednesday club captain, 36, had been sidelined since October with a hamstring problem.

Specialists informed the player that a full recovery from the injury was not guaranteed, with a minimum recuperation period of six months

"I feel devastated I've had to make this decision, but I'm not 21 any more and the only other option was to sit at the club getting paid," said Marsden, who began his career at Sheffield United and joined Town from the Blades in July 1988

"I didn't want that to happen, especially as I'm a Sheffield lad."

Marsden played 155 times for Town before a £250,000 transfer to Wolves in November 1993.

He also played for Coventry (on loan), Notts County, Stockport, Birmingham, Southampton and Korean club Busan Icons.

Carlton Palmer will be officially unveiled as manager of League II club Mansfield tomorrow.

Palmer, became caretaker manager when Keith Curle, who bossed the Stags when they were beaten by Town in last season's Division III play-off final, left in November having been accused of bullying a club trainee.

League I promotion chasers Wigan are on the brink of playing their final game for some time in front of their own fans as the row over policing costs at the JJB Stadium takes another step.

Greater Manchester Police have announced they will be withdrawing their services on matchdays, claiming the club owe them £300,000.

The withdrawal means the safety certificate for the 25,000-seater stadium could be revoked when Wigan Council's Safety Advisory Group meet today, which would mean the club would be forced to play their home games behind closed doors.

It is possible Saturday's game against Millwall will be Wigan's last in front of their home crowd before the police plan to close the stadium.