Leeds United midfielder Jody Morris - under investigation for alleged sexual assaults - has agreed to take a 10-day leave of absence, the English Premiership club said yesterday.

"It is emphasised that this agreement should not be interpreted as any admission of wrongdoing by the player," a club statement said.

"Matters will be resolved within this period in accordance with the standard form of the player's contract."

The club held what it described as a "constructive and helpful meeting" on Thursday with Morris's solicitor Angus McBride and Deputy Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Mick McGuire.

Morris was arrested and bailed earlier this month by police investigating an allegation of a serious sexual assault on a young woman in the Leeds area. He has also been questioned in connection with another sexual assault.

Meanwhile, soccer in England was hit by a fresh drugs scandal last night after it emerged two players tested positive for cocaine and ecstasy in the last three months.

UK Sport, the body which carries out drug checks on behalf of the English FA, published its quarterly results yesterday and revealed two players have failed tests.

The soccer players - who have not been named - were among 272 players from the Premiership, Football League and Conference tested between July 1st and September 30th.

"We don't publish names - that's down to each sport's individual body," UK Sport spokesman Russell Langley said yesterday.

English players' union boss Gordon Taylor has backed plans to test soccer players for the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone, while UK Sport yesterday revealed players will be scrutinised for the previously undetectable performance-enhancing drug.

The world of sport has been rocked by the discovery of the drug, sparking fears the substance has been in widespread use.

"THG didn't used to show on tests, but it can now be identified and there's no reason why it shouldn't be included in footballers' tests," Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Taylor said yesterday.

"We wouldn't be against it being included in what footballers are tested for as we have nothing to hide. We're perfectly willing to have any test for steroids applied in football."

Arsene Wenger has admitted he could need a "present from Jesus" to make any significant new signings after Christmas - even if Arsenal were plunged into a "desperate situation" having lost Thierry Henry to long-term injury.

Wenger revealed that he cannot make any plans to strengthen his squad in the January transfer market as the club are still attempting to amass the financing for their new stadium.

However, the Arsenal manager played down the idea of a possible swoop for unsettled Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert, conceding he could not afford the Dutchman's reported £100,000 a week wages in any case.

"He will have to speak to Jesus! A fee of £1.3 million is not expensive, but we cannot afford those (wages)," Wenger said.

Steed Malbranque has signed a one-year extension to his current Fulham contract in a deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.