Football: Doubt over Adams' future

The future of Tony Adams at Arsenal was thrown into doubt by his absence from the team in last night's abandoned match against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said after the game that Adams had a back injury and would be out for at least a fortnight. However, there have also been reports of unhappiness behind the scenes at Highbury and Adams is understood to have had talks with Wenger after a run of recent indifferent form. A move away from Arsenal, the club he has been with since school, may not be out of the question.

Wenger said Adams would miss the Christmas programme because of his injury. "We discovered it on Friday when Tony turned up and he couldn't move his back," Wenger said. "He won't be fit until at least the beginning of January. It would be at least two weeks before he can go back into training. After that we'll see how it goes."

Arsenal have fined Dennis Bergkamp because of his poor disciplinary record for dissent. Wenger refused to say how much the Dutch international forward has had to pay, but insisted that an improving team spirit, and a much- improved disciplinary record, mean his side can still challenge Manchester United for the Premiership title.

"We have improved since the beginning of the season," he said. "I think as well, for example against Blackburn recently, they had as many yellow cards as we had, so I don't know why we are the ones who have to give explanations all the time."