Ferdinand report clears Leeds of wrongdoing

Leeds United have been cleared of any financial impropriety over the £18m transfer of Rio Ferdinand from West Ham.

As a result of reports that an agent involved in the deal had received an unusually high payment, the club instigated an internal audit of the transfer. Deloitte & Touche and the law firm Addleshaw Booth & Co carried out the review, and Leeds United plc issued a statement to the Stock Exchange.

"The report confirms that the expenditure and payments for the transfer, including agents' fees, were properly authorised in accordance with Leeds United policy," it said. "The Audit Committee can also confirm that there is no evidence of any financial impropriety or lack of financial controls."

The former Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate pulled on a Newcastle shirt for the first time yesterday as he prepared for his Premiership debut for the club. The England international eased his way through a 2-1 victory over Hartlepool United in a specially arranged friendly at the Magpies' Darsley Park training headquarters to put himself into contention for a senior bow in Saturday's league game with Chelsea.

Jermaine Jenas was yesterday awaiting a scan on his ankle injury, with Newcastle fearing they could lose the midfielder for up to four weeks. Jenas suffered suspected ligament damage in training on Friday and missed the 3-0 win at Leeds the next day. He seems likely to be unavailable for tomorrow's Champions' League game with Bayer Leverkusen at St James' Park.

The Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope faces another month on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder. The Bolton striker Henrik Pedersen will be out for up to five weeks with a shoulder injury.