`Still unfit' Cole to be left on sidelines

Football

Andy Cole is facing more time out of Manchester United's title and Champions' League campaign. The striker did not travel to Derby on Wednesday as Alex Ferguson, the United manager, does not think he is fit enough after his bout of pneumonia.

Cole's comeback has been held up by two reserve games being called off and, while he is doing double training sessions, he will not face Leeds tomorrow and will stay at home when United fly out for their match against Juventus.

Leeds have failed in a bid to bring Paul Ince back to England. Howard Wilkinson, the Elland Road manager, made a pre-season inquiry, but was told the Internazionale midfielder was unavailable. Confirming his approach, Wilkinson said: "That was quite some time ago - just before the season started - and Roy Hodgson was quite clear in his mind that he wanted to keep him." Wilkinson's search for a new striker will intensify following the news that Tony Yeboah could be out of action until Christmas.

Kevin Keegan has dismissed speculation David Ginola will be allowed to leave Newcastle. "I could have sold him in the summer, everyone knows that, but I didn't buy David Ginola to make a profit," Keegan said. "I like him and I think he will adjust to English football better in his second season."

Southampton have made an inquiry for the Everton midfielder Vinny Samways. Everton are looking for a fee in the region of pounds 1m for the 27-year-old, who cost the club pounds 2.2m when signed from Tottenham in 1994.

Vinnie Jones' 12 dismissals will not prompt special action from the Football Association, but there is an open invitation for him to formalise his allegation that Tottenham's Darren Anderton spat in his face and provoked him into retaliation during Wimbledon's stormy Premiership match at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

An FA spokesman said: "Unless the referee's report shows up something new, he will just serve the suspension in the normal way laid down in the rules. As for the alleged spitting incident, we can only act if there is a formal complaint made."

Anderton yesterday admitted that he had spat, but only to clear his throat and not at Jones. "I spat and it hit his shorts," Anderton said. "You would need to be mad to spit in the face of Vinnie Jones. Spitting at other players is dreadful."

Wimbledon have confirmed they will "listen to offers" for the out of favour Dean Holdsworth and Oyvind Leonhardsen. Burnley have spent pounds 350,000, a club record, on the Birmingham City striker, Paul Barnes.

Wolves have been summoned to a Football League commission next Wednesday after being accused of backing out of a deal to sign Leicester's Australian international goalkeeper, Zeljko Kalac. The Molineux club lined up a double bid last winter to buy Kalac and Steve Corica from Leicester, but signed only Corica.

COCA-COLA CUP Second round: Sheffield Wednesday v Oxford Utd; Fulham v Ipswich; Preston v Tottenham; Blackpool v Chelsea; Southampton v Peterborough; Oldham v Tranmere; Barnsley v Gillingham; Bury v Crystal Palace; Wimbledon v Portsmouth; Middlesbrough v Hereford; Nottingham Forest v Wycombe; Swindon v Queen's Park Rangers; Brentford v Blackburn; Scarborough v Leicester; Bristol City v Bolton; Lincoln v Manchester City; Barnet v West Ham; Charlton v Burnley; Leeds v Darlington; Stockport v Sheffield Utd; Everton v York; Huddersfield v Colchester; Watford v Sunderland; Luton v Derby; Port Vale v Carlisle; Coventry v Birmingham; Stoke v Northampton. (First-leg ties to be played week commencing 16 September; second leg week commencing 23 September. Five clubs involved in European competition receive byes).

SCOTTISH COCA-COLA CUP Fourth round: Hearts v Celtic; Dunfermline v Partick; Dundee v Aberdeen; Rangers v Hibernian (Ties to be played 17 or 18 September).