Yeung money-laundering trial could begin as soon as May

Carson Yeung, pictured outside court in Hong Kong yesterday, faces five counts of money laundering amounting to around £59m (AFP/Getty Images)

A date will be set for Birmingham City majority shareholder Carson Yeung's trial on charges of money-laundering in the next few days, with the trial likely to start in May or November.

A pre-trial review took place in Hong Kong yesterday and Yeung's lawyer Clive Grossman confirmed that a date would soon be known for the trial to begin. Yeung faces five counts of money-laundering amounting to around £59m. He denies the charges, which relate to a period between 2001 and 2007.

Yeung's company Grandtop International Holdings – now called Birmingham International Holdings – bought the Championship club in 2009.

Meanwhile Doncaster Rovers have completed the signing of Senegalese centre-back Lamine Diatta. The 36-year-old has agreed to join Rovers on a deal until February after training with the club this week.

Diatta, who has won 40 caps for Senegal and played a major role in the African country's journey to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, has previously played for Newcastle, St Etienne and Lyons but has been without a club since his release from Tunisian side Etoile Sportive du Sahel earlier in the year.

Doncaster are waiting for international clearance for the imposing defender, which may not come in time for the trip to Birmingham on Saturday. Diatta joins fellow Senegal internationals El-Hadji Diouf and Habib Beye at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Barnsley have confirmed that Goran Lovre has left the club by mutual consent. Midfielder Lovre joined the Tykes from Dutch club FC Groningen in the summer of 2010. He made 23 appearances and scored two goals during the 2010-11 campaign. However, the Serbian has not featured this season and has left Oakwell before his contract was due to expire in the summer. A statement on Barnsley's official club website said: "We would like to wish Goran the best of luck with his future career."

The teenage defender John Stones has signed a professional contract at the club. Stones has been in good form for the Under-18 side and has agreed a deal until the summer of 2013.

Gavin Massey has extended his loan spell with Yeovil until 14 January. The Watford winger has made 12 appearances since arriving in September, scoring three times. He was recently joined by Hornets team-mate Rene Gilmartin, who kept a clean sheet in Yeovil's 1-0 victory at Hartlepool immediately following his arrival before being denied permission to feature in last weekend's 2-2 FA Cup draw at Fleetwood.

Kevin Nicholson and Lee Mansell have agreed new contracts at Torquay.