STEVE APPLEBY, one of the favourites for the Wisbech manager s job, is set to make a shock appearance as a player in the Fenmen s Ridgeons Premier Division match at home to Newmarket tonight. Appleby, 42, has been called up by caretaker boss Dick Creasey

STEVE APPLEBY, one of the favourites for the Wisbech manager's job, is set to make a shock appearance as a player in the Fenmen's Ridgeons Premier Division match at home to Newmarket tonight.

Appleby, 42, has been called up by caretaker boss Dick Creasey to cover for injuries.

Appleby, a former Wisbech captain and player-assistant manager, has expressed an interest in becoming the next permanent Wisbech manager.

He watched Wisbech's 3-1 Cambs Invitation Cup win over Lakenheath.

Appleby, currently player-manager of Sills and Betteridge Lincolnshire League side Skegness Town, said: "I remained signed on as a Wisbech player after I left the club and have always said they can call me in if they are short.

"Skegness are okay with it and because Wisbech and Skegness play in different league structures it's within the rules for me to play for both clubs.

"Dick has a couple of injuries and he doesn't want to make any signings because he's just filling in as caretaker manager and I'm happy to help out.

"I said hello to the Wisbech chairman Paul Brenchley at the Lakenheath match. He asked me if I'm interested in becoming the Wisbech manager, I said 'yes' but that's as far as the conversation went."

Brenchley said he expects to name a permanent manager in the next fortnight but remained tight-lipped on the leading candidates.

He said: "Two or three people have shown an interest in the job. We're in no rush to make a decision but I expect we'll name someone in the next couple of weeks."

Meanwhile, Ross McNeil has resigned as assistant manager of Wisbech.

The wording of his resignation statement, posted on the club website, has lead some fans to believe a decision has been made about Gary Setchell's replacement as permanent manager.

McNeil's statement read: "It is with great sadness that I have decided to resign as assistant manager and leave Wisbech Town F.C.

"I thought long and hard about the decision but feel that the club are going in a different direction managerially and I wasn't going to be part of that new direction once the dust had settled.

"I have really enjoyed my time at Wisbech. The players have been great to work with and I feel proud of what myself and Setch achieved in what were fairly challenging times for the club.

"I'd like to wish everybody connected with Wisbech Town F.C. the best of luck for the rest of the season and also at the new ground."

One fan, identified as Big Dave, replied with the comment: "Do not really understand the second paragraph, is Ross saying that the board have already decided who they want on a permanent basis and that he has been told that he will not be part of the new set-up?