Today in the Championship and Lower Leagues

Tuesday 04 March 2008 01:00 GMT
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Championship

*Stoke City The club's appeal against the dismissal of Andy Griffin during the 3-0 defeat at Queen's Park Rangers on Sunday has been strengthened by referee Andy D'Urso's admission that his decision was incorrect. "The Football Association have confirmed that the referee has reconsidered the matter," Stoke's football administrator, Eddie Harrison, said.

Colchester United Scans have revealed the foot injury suffered by Karl Duguid against Wolves last week was not as bad as was feared and he could return sooner than expected.

Sheffield WednesdayDefender Mark Beeves was named Young Apprentice of the Year at Sunday's Football League Awards. The 18-year-old has become a mainstay in the Owls side since making his debut against Southampton in last January and has also earned a called up to the England under-19s.

Bristol City striker Enoch Showunmi has had his loan at Hillsborough extended by a month.

SouthamptonThe Saints have dismissed reports that they are reliant on advancements on the payments from Theo Walcott's transfer to Arsenal to prevent administration. Walcott was sold for £12m in 2006, to be paid in instalments. "Like all clubs we have an overdraft facility, but we have not exceeded ours," chairman Leon Crouch said. "There is a lot we would like to say in response to this story but we have been placed in an offer period by the Stock Exchange and whose rules therefore prevent us from talking about these matters."

League One

* Leeds United Striker Jermaine Beckford has said the club still harbour hopes of automatic promotion, despite currently sitting just outside the play-offs. "As it stands it looks like it will be through the play-offs," the 24-year-old said. "But there is still the chance of going up so we will keep fighting." Meanwhile, the Elland Road side are awaiting the result of a scan on defender Stephen O'Halloran's injured knee. The 20-year-old sustained the injury during the warm-up prior to last Saturday's 1-0 win at Swindon.

* Walsall Rhys Weston has extended his contract at the Bescot Stadium, keeping him at the club until 2010. "I'm delighted," he said. "It's a nice feeling to have my future sorted and now I can concentrate on the run-in, with nothing else to think about."

League Two

* Barnet Former Bees midfielder Carl Hoddle, brother of former England manager Glenn, has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 40. The former Spurs youth player went on to enjoy sucess at Underhill and Leyton Orient and also worked with his brother as a coach and scout at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He collapsed in Sawbridgeworth on Sunday night and was pronounced dead at the scene.

* Shrewsbury Town The club have parted company with manager Gary Peters by mutual consent. He had been in charge at Gay Meadow since November 2004, winning 60 of 174 games. "The negativity towards me might have been affecting the team," he said. "Whatever we can do for us to get results we need to do. If that is by me leaving then that is what needs to be – I don't want that negativity to get to the players."

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