Reprieve for Jones

Vinnie Jones earned a reprieve yesterday when his sending-off against Liverpool last Saturday was reduced to a booking after the linesman involved watched a video of the incident.

The Wimbledon midfielder had received the 10th red card of his career after a clash with Stan Collymore, whom Ray Gould, the linesman, thought he had seen butted by Jones.

Wimbledon protested Jones' innocence and asked for the officials to review their decision in the light of video evidence. And yesterday Gould admitted: "Having observed the video replay of the incident it clearly shows there was no head-to-head contact and I realise I made a mistake."

Wimbledon's relieved manager, Joe Kinnear, commented: "It proves that referees and linesmen are human after all."

Another former Don, Eric Young, who exercised his right to a free transfer from Crystal Palace in May, makes his Wolves debut at Southend today after joining the club on a two-year contract. Young, 35, is set to replace the injured John De Wolf, at centre-back and as captain.

Gary Megson, who last week made Shrewsbury the ninth club in a career spanning 18 seasons, has retired after playing only two games for the struggling Second Division side.

Philippe Albert, Newcastle's Belgian international, has been given the go-ahead to continue his comeback from a serious knee injury after being led to believe he needed another minor operation to heal the problem.