Leeds United will increase the security for Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate when their court case opens in Hull next week.

The pair are due at Hull Crown Court from January 29th on charges - which they both deny - of causing grievous bodily harm and affray.

It is estimated that the trial will last six weeks, leaving them unable to train with their teammates during regular sessions.

Special arrangements have been made to cater for the players' training schedules, although United chairman Peter Ridsdale has refused to make them public.

"We will be keeping both players in training but for security reasons, the club are not prepared to elaborate further," said Ridsdale.

David O'Leary has spoken of the problems associated with the impending trial and the problems they have caused in planning for the present campaign. "We have had so many people going off from training to police stations to be interviewed," he said. "Players have missed training here, there and everywhere. Solicitors have been coming to the training ground so often we have had to make a separate office to accommodate all the people.

"That is what has been going on and it is very disruptive."

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given last night confirmed that he has withdrawn his transfer request, which was submitted after he failed to win back his place following injury in December.

Given was in goal for the Magpies in Saturday's 3-1 win over Leeds at Elland Road, and is hoping to stay above Steve Harper and John Karelse in the Newcastle pecking order.

Aston Villa goalkeeper David James has finally resolved his future by agreeing a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the midlands club.

The 30-year-old has committed himself to last season's beaten FA Cup finalists until the summer of 2004.

Tony Adams is set to sign a new Arsenal contract that will keep him at Highbury for two more years.

Adams aims to beat David O'Leary's Arsenal record of 720 senior appearances. He has played 636 times.

France defender Frank Leboeuf does not expect to play again for Chelsea and has asked the premier league club to let him leave.

"I know I do not have a future at Chelsea and it is time to move on. I think I might have played my last game for the club," Leboeuf said.

Leboeuf, who was 33 on Monday, wants to join French champions Monaco but they have yet to match Chelsea's asking price, reported to be £3 million sterling.

Gordon Strachan revealed yesterday that his family no longer go to watch Coventry games because of the abuse he receives from fans.

Supporters staged an angry demonstration following Everton's 3-1 victory at Highfield Road on Saturday, chanting "we want Strachan out" and "sack the board".

The City boss is determined not to walk away from the club's relegation struggle but admits it has become too much for his family.

Kenny Dalglish has blamed John Barnes for the disastrous season at Celtic last year.

Dalglish returned to the club with head coach Barnes in the summer of 1999 and immediately began to bring in new players, including then Scottish record signing Eyal Berkovic.

Dalglish, who was sacked by Celtic during the summer, has pinpointed Barnes' signings as the reason for the downfall of their short-lived regime at the club.

"It was John who signed all the players at Celtic. I don't know who was the worst although there were more bad ones than good ones," said Dalglish.

Dalglish also confirmed that a dressing room conflict between Barnes and now Leeds striker Mark Viduka during the Scottish Cup defeat by Inverness had ended Barnes' reign as head coach.

Shelbourne and RTE yesterday finalised a contract that will guarantee live coverage of all the club's European matches over the next two seasons.

The deal is for a minimum of six games with options for both parties to extend.

"The amount of money involved, though confidential, is significant and it is a recognition of both the huge improvement in the domestive game and its attractiveness as a television product," commented Gary Browne, the chairman of Shelbourne yesterday.

Tim O'Connor, RTE's Head of Sport, said it was a perfect deal for RTE. "Just like the European rugby cup, it fulfils our remit as a public service broadcaster and keeps our television schedule as competitive as ever."