O'Shea avoids ban

Soccer Shorts: John O'Shea will be available for Manchester United's next two games despite picking up his fifth booking of the season in Monday night's win at Wigan.

Had the Irishman picked up the yellow card a week earlier, he would have served an automatic one-match ban, which would have ruled him out of the trip to West Brom on March 18th. However, the cut-off point for a suspension for five bookings came at the end of February, so O'Shea will instead merely receiving a warning about his future conduct.

Finnan cleared

The Greater Manchester Police have informed Liverpool they will not be taking any action against Steve Finnan following allegations that he racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. The incident being investigated followed complaints by lip-readers watching the televised Barclays Premiership clash at Old Trafford on January 22nd.

The Liverpool defender vehemently denied the accusations and video evidence sanctioned by the Anfield club supported that view and now the police have dropped the case. A Liverpool spokesman said: "Obviously, we welcome the news . . . It's very unfortunate that Steve's good name has been dragged through the mud in the meantime and we are glad this matter has now been resolved."

Robben's 4-match ban

Chelsea's Arjen Robben will be banned for the next four matches after an English Football Association disciplinary commission rejected his claim for wrongful dismissal. Robben was sent off for serious foul play after a two-footed tackle on West Brom's Jonathan Greening on Saturday. The Dutch winger will be suspended for four matches rather than three as it was his second sending-off of the season.

Blackwell staying put

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell is "delighted" after agreeing a new three-year deal with the club. Blackwell's contract was due to expire in the summer and, after guiding the Elland Road side to third in the English Championship, he was attracting attention from another clubs.

But the former Sheffield United assistant manager is happy to stay with Leeds. "I'm delighted," he said. "I feel the club is only at the start of something good. I'm positive that we can go on and achieve good things. The other interest has been flattering, but there is nowhere else I would rather be than Leeds United."

Leeds chairman Ken Bates added: "I'm a big believer that if it ain't broke you don't mend it." Blackwell joined the club as head coach under Peter Reid in the summer of 2003 and was handed the job of manager on a full-time basis in May 2004.

Drogheda deal

Drogheda United yesterday announced a new sponsorship deal with local company Murphy Environmental that brings the club's annual revenue from its three on-shirt advertising to around €200,000 per annum, writes Emmet Malone.

At their pre-season press conference - where they paraded their five close-season signings including Shane Barrett, Glen Fitzpatrick and James Keddy - the club also unveiled the blueprint for the new stadium just off the M1 which has been designed by specialist British outfit, Sports Facilities International, a company that is also involved in the redevelopment of the Shed at Turner's Cross.

United officials say the club is on course to submit planning application for the new ground next month. The final capacity of the ground will depend on how the planning process goes but it is envisaged that at least 8,000 seats will be provided at a ground which will be designed with future expansion.

Quashie ban extended

West Brom midfielder Nigel Quashie has been given a further one-game suspension after admitting a Football Association charge of misconduct. Quashie already had to serve a four-match ban for his red card against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns nine days ago - his second dismissal of the campaign.

But the further ban, plus a £5,000 fine, results from him using abusive and insulting words towards a match official before he headed to the dressingrooms.

Bryan Robson's £1.2 million signing from Southampton in January will now be out of action until the derby fixture against Aston Villa on April 9th. Quashie was banned for Saturday's clash with Chelsea and will now also miss the matches against Birmingham, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool.

An FA disciplinary commission at Soho Square decided on the further punishment for Quashie at a hearing after the player admitted the charge.

Quashie's problems began when he kicked Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng in the back and was given a straight red card by referee Mike Dean. His previous dismissal this season had been as a Southampton player against Hull.