CITY are backing Nicky Summerbee over allegations linking him and Manchester United's Lee Sharpe with drugs and sex stories in a Sunday newspaper.

City chairman Francis Lee, in a statement supporting his 24 year old winger, said: "On his behalf, I can categorically state that he has never smoked cannabis or in any way been involved with illegal substances.

"This matter is now closed as far as the club and the player are concerned and I hope that this will bring to a speedy end these outrageous suggestions regarding Summerbee. We have interviewed him and he's denied the report in its entirety."

A teenage girl alleged in the News of the World that Sharpe had told her that he used to smoke pot.