Finnan astonished and hurt at accusations

Steve Finnan has revealed his astonishment at being accused of racially abusing Patrice Evra during Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last month.

Greater Manchester Police received two separate complaints from fans after the controversial English Premiership match, which United won after a dramatic last-gasp winner from Rio Ferdinand.

Liverpool officials analysed a tape of the alleged incident afterwards and claimed there was no evidence to suggest Finnan was guilty of taunting France international Evra, who has struggled since his January move from Monaco.

"I was astonished when I heard of the accusations and I categorically deny them," said 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international Finnan. "It was disappointing to read the stories. To suggest I would use racist language is very hurtful. I don't really feel I should have to come out and say I didn't say this or I didn't say that, but because of what has been said and written I think it's important I do respond and set the record straight. I didn't say what has been alleged. It's all lies."

United's victory was somewhat overshadowed by the celebrations of Gary Neville, who celebrated in front of Liverpool fans and was subsequently handed a £5,000 fine.

When the two clubs met in the FA Cup earlier this month, fans were condemned for attacking an ambulance taking Alan Smith to hospital after the midfielder had suffered a dislocated ankle and broken leg.

Fulham expect Wayne Bridge, who suffered an injury to his right ankle in England's game against Uruguay and was carried off on a stretcher, to return to first-team action before the end of the month.

The left back's tangle with the goalkeeper Paul Robinson caused a scare for the England staff, who had not been able to call on Arsenal's Ashley Cole because of his own ankle problem. But the injury to Bridge, who is on loan from Chelsea, is not expected to be as severe as was feared.

Coincidentally, Cole's latest injury is almost identical to that of his England colleague and will also keep him out of tomorrow's game at Fulham. Cole limped out of Arsenal reserves' 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night having received a heavy blow to his ankle. That, too, resulted in a sprain but, unlike Bridge, he did not sustain any ligament damage.

"Ashley will be out for three weeks minimum because of an ankle sprain," said the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "It is on the left foot and it is nothing to do with the surgery he had before, but it is still a pain that stops you from playing."

Cole had previously missed three and a half months with a broken metatarsal bone in his right foot, and strained thigh muscles after returning for only one match.

There was good news for Wenger and England regarding Sol Campbell, however, with the Frenchman confident enough to predict the centre back would return from his own ankle injury within a fortnight.

Frank Lampard is almost certain to be ruled out of Chelsea's trip to Premiership strugglers West Brom tomorrow. Lampard, who had his hamstring injury further assessed yesterday, is unlikely to be risked by coach Jose Mourinho in the hope he will recover in time for the second leg of the Champions League tie with Barcelona on Tuesday.

Lampard's injury forced him to withdraw from the England squad ahead of the friendly against Uruguay and if he fails to recover in time for the trip to Camp Nou, then Mourinho will be faced with a crisis in midfield.

Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien is already ruled out of the tie because of suspension and Lampard's absence would severely hamper Chelsea's hopes of overturning their 2-1 deficit.