Football: Seaman struggling to face Parma

DAVID SEAMAN, the England goalkeeper, yesterday became the latest player to give Arsenal's manager, George Graham, cause for concern five days before Wednesday's European Cup-Winners' Cup final against Parma in Copenhagen.

Seaman is still having treatment for bruised ribs after a collision with Queen's Park Rangers' Bradley Allen in the 1-1 draw in midweek, and he is almost certain to miss today's Premiership meeting with West Ham at Highbury. Allan Miller has been put on standby for only his second senior game of the season.

Graham is already resigned to facing Parma, the holders, without the suspended Ian Wright and the injured John Jensen, while Martin Keown is almost certainly out after pulling a hamstring against QPR and David Hillier hopes to prove his fitness in a rearranged reserve game against Crystal Palace on Monday.

Andy Cole, who broke Newcastle United's individual scoring record with his 40th goal of the season against Aston Villa on Wednesday, has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

His wages of pounds 7,000 a week will be supplemented by a pounds 1m boot contract and other sponsorship deals. Newcastle's chairman, Sir John Hall, said: 'This should stop any speculation about Andy's future. He's going nowhere - and that includes Italy.'

Eric Cantona may learn next week whether he is to face a Football Association misconduct charge.

The FA yesterday received a letter from the Manchester United striker who had been asked to explain alleged comments to the Solihull referee, Vic Callow, after he was sent off against Arsenal at Highbury last month. His original Tuesday deadline to reply was extended by the FA.

'We have now received a letter of explanation from Mr Cantona and it will be considered by a disciplinary commission in due course,' an FA official said. 'They will look at it and decide what happens after that.'