Manchester United will entertain newly-promoted neighbours Manchester City on Wednesday, August 16th in a testimonial game for Denis Irwin.

Gabriel Batistuta will be staying in Italy and not heading to United or any other English side when he leaves Fiorentina in the summer according to his agent, Settimio Aloisio. "Gabriel wants to play a pair of years more here (in Italy)," he told an Argentinean radio station.

Racing Lens midfielder Olivier Dacourt is on the verge of joining Leeds United, the French sports daily L'Equipe reported yesterday. Dacourt, who played for Everton last season, spent Monday at Leeds, the newspaper said.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale is hoping to "tie up" the appointment of Brian Kidd, the former Manchester United assistant coach and former Blackburn manager as the club's youth development supervisor by the end of the week.

Harry Kewell learned yesterday that he must wait until June at the earliest to discover whether he will miss the start of Leeds' next European campaign. He was sent off for stamping during the UEFA Cup semi-final with Galatasaray at Elland Road, and UEFA's control and disciplinary body initially decreed that a red card was punishment enough for Kewell, but there has now been a u-turn.

Derby manager Jim Smith has been charged with misconduct for comments made to referee Neale Barry during Derby's draw with Tottenham last month. The charge follows remarks made at half-time by Smith.

Veteran striker Romario has been handed a recall by coach Wanderley Luxemburgo into Brazil's squad for the matches against Wales on May 23rd and England on May 27th. A referee who controversially disallowed a late goal has been called before officials of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as a row over his decision threatens to overshadow the end of the Serie A season. Massimo De Santis's decision to rule out a late header from Parma's Fabio Cannavaro in Sunday's match against Juventus has prompted a bitter war of words between Lazio and Juve.

Wimbledon's Kenny Cunningham and coach Mick Harford will face misconduct charges today arising from a tunnel incident at Loftus Road in February. The cases were adjourned last month after Chelsea were punished by the English FA for their part in the incident. Wimbledon are also charged with failing to control their players during the skirmish.