A football league tribunal ruled earlier today that Sunderland need to pay United ?150,000 immediately for the signing of Dean Whitehead. In addition, Sunderland will need to pay a further ?15,000 for each ten appearances Deano makes for their first team, up to 50 appearances, a further ?100,000 should the Black Cats get promotion to the Premiership, and a further ?100,000 when Deano gets his first international call-up in a competitive game, which will probably be a wee while yet. There is also a 25% sell-on clause. United officials expressed their disappointment with the deal, having valued Whitehead at twice what they will receive.

Oxford visit Yeovil on Saturday, hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to eight games. The Glovers are currently three places and one point above United, and have yet to lose at home. Oxford have no new injury worries, apart from manager Graham Rix who ruptured his achilles tendon during training, and Tom Winters. Dave Woozley, Danny Brown, and Mark E’Beyer all came through a behind-closed-doors game against QPR reserves in midweek, which ended 0-0, although Winters was injured in that match, having to leave the field early. Mark Rawle, who has yet to play a game this season due to a groin strain, is back in training, and all these players could be in contention for Saturday’s game.

Yeovil have just allowed Simon Weatherstone to join Hornchurch, who also feature Paul McCarthy, and so there are no ex-United players at Huish Park to haunt the Us, apart from Scott Guyett, that is. This will be a difficult game, and Rage Online’s usual pessimism is well to the fore. We predict a 1-0 defeat for the Yellows.