Personal hearing allows Campbell to face United

The Arsenal defender Sol Campbell is set to play in the Premiership game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 21 September after requesting a personal hearing to defend himself against a violent conduct charge.

The charge, which could lead to a three-match ban, was brought by the Football Association following his challenge with Eric Djemba-Djemba in last month's Community Shield. "Sol Campbell has denied the charge of violent conduct," the FA said yesterday. "We are now in communication with his legal representatives regarding a personal hearing."

However, the situation has been complicated by Campbell's international commitments with England, which is likely to mean a delay in setting a hearing date.

It seems unlikely anything will be scheduled for at least a fortnight, which would free Campbell to play at Old Trafford, where he is again likely to come up against Djemba-Djemba, and also Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who he was sent off for allegedly elbowing in the previous league match between the two sides.

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, said Campbell felt he was treated unfairly by being denied a personal hearing in the Solskjaer case.