A round-up of today's soccer news

Jewell rules out Wigan return

Wigan have confirmed that Paul Jewell will not be returning to manage the club, with Joe Royle believed to be among the favourites to replace Chris Hutchings at the JJB Stadium.

Chairman Dave Whelan had been interested in bringing Jewell back to the club he left in May after keeping them up on the final day of the Premier League season.

But a club spokesperson said: "Paul has made it clear he doesn't want the post.

"But it made sense to ask him, because of the unique relationship he has with the chairman. Dave asked Paul if he would come back; he thought about it but decided it was not for him.

"They did not get into any contractual discussions. There are still a lot of decent applicants, and it's a wide open field and we're still confident we will have a new manager in place by our next game."

Royle and Graeme Souness are two other names to have been strongly linked with the position.

Former Oldham, Everton, Manchester City and Ipswich boss Royle has withdrawn his interest in the vacant Leicester post, citing "personal reasons".

Jewell and Souness have also been linked with the vacant Republic of Ireland post.

Barton insists 'no malice' in challenge

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton insists there was "no malice" in his challenge on Dickson Etuhu during Saturday's derby draw against Sunderland.

TheEnglish ootball Association last night confirmed Barton will not be punished after referee Martin Atkinson decided to take no action over the studs-high tackle.

"There was no malice in it, nor was it premeditated," Barton told Sky Sports News. If I caused him any injury, then I apologise. Things happen in the heat of a derby game.

"It was my third game back and I'm still a bit rusty. If I was fully match fit the situation would have been avoided."

Atkinson did not get a full view of the challenge, so the former Manchester City player has escaped action.

Evans gets Northern Ireland call-up

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the games against Denmark and Spain.

Evans was a surprise omission from Nigel Worthington's original squad, but following George McCartney's withdrawal with an ankle injury over the weekend the 19-year-old has found himself back in the reckoning.

Northern Ireland go into the double-header six points behind group leaders Sweden, knowing they need six points and results to go their way if they are to have any chance of qualifying for European football's showpiece event in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

They need to defeat Denmark on Saturday, then Spain the following Wednesday - and hope other results go their way.