Football: Taylor to scan tape on Durie

GORDON TAYLOR, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, will study video evidence and the referee's report before deciding whether to defend the Tottenham striker, Gordon Durie, against a charge of feigning injury and trying to get an opponent sent off.

The Scottish international must face a history-making case following the incident at White Hart Lane a week ago when he and the Coventry centre-half, Andy Pearce, were both booked after a head-to-head incident.

The pounds 2.2m Spurs player finished flat on his back but the referee, Dermot Gallagher, who booked both players, has accused Durie of acting - and the FA officially charged the player on Tuesday.

'It is a very serious charge to level against any professional sportsman,' Taylor said, 'It is certain he will deny the charge. Clearly his entire reputation is at stake.

'But if the PFA are going to help defend him I need to look fully into all the facts, including the video recording of the incident and the referees' report to the FA.'

Spurs problems persisted yesterday: the midfielder, David Howells, was ruled out for more than a month after X-rays showed he had broken a bone in his foot during the 5-0 thrashing at Leeds United.

Derek Payne, the Barnet midfielder who was sent off against Peterborough on Tuesday night, was put on the transfer list yesterday.

The Notts County striker, Tony Agana, faces disciplinary action by his club after he reacted angrily to being substituted during the second half of Tuesday's 2-1 defeat against Watford. Agana ripped off his shirt and made straight for the tunnel.

Lazio have agreed to pay the insurance bill for their new midfielder, Paul Gascoigne, to team up with the England squad for the friendly against Spain in Santander on 9 September.