An incensed Mandaric accused a small section of Foxes fans of "poisoning the club" after they sang "there's only one Martin Allen" during the Carling Cup second-round tie at the City Ground.

Mandaric saw it as an insult to himself and new boss Gary Megson and he has set up a special meeting at the Walkers Stadium on Thursday to offer those fans the chance to explain their actions.

He told the club's website, lcfc.co.uk: "It is not up to me to tell the fans what to sing. But do these people think, in all seriousness, that Martin Allen is a more important issue than the club they have supported for years?

"I do not. I do not understand why they sang it and I am finding it hard to forget."

On-loan Derby defender Michael Johnson has revealed his intentions to earn a permanent deal at SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY.

The 34-year-old turned in a man-of-the-match performance on his debut for the Owls after joining as an emergency loan signing last week.

And after helping Wednesday claim their first points of the season with a 1-0 win over Hull, Johnson has set his sights on securing a long-term deal.

"I'm an experienced player and you can see the signs (of being surplus to requirements at Pride Park)," he revealed.

"I'm not just coming up here for a month to then go back to Derby. Hopefully I'll do well and get offered an 18-month contract."

LEEDS hope to learn this week whether their appeal against their 15-point deduction is likely to be heard by an independent review panel.

Chairman Ken Bates has asked the Football Association to intervene after the Football League hit Leeds with an unprecedented 15-point penalty for financial irregularities just before the start of the season.

Leeds' appeal will be discussed at an FA board meeting on Monday, but Soho Square chiefs are not expected to make a ruling themselves on whether the penalty should be reduced.

The FA does not have jurisdiction to overrule a Football League decision, but they could recommend a review by an independent panel.

Bates said: "I've said before, whether you agree or disagree with the outcome of the (Carlos) Tevez case, at least it was made by an independent tribunal, not by 64 self-interested competitors."

CHELTENHAM manager John Ward is "absolutely delighted" that defender Michael Townsend has committed his future to the club.

The 21-year-old former Wolves trainee agreed a new three-year contract over the weekend to keep him at Whaddon Road until the summer of 2010.

Ward said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure Michael on an extended contract."

A Football League tribunal has ruled that NORTHAMPTON must pay MANSFIELD a package worth up to £70,000 for midfielder Giles Coke.

PETERBOROUGH have completed the signing of LUTON defender Sol Davis on a two-month loan deal.

The full-back has played 160 league games for the Hatters, but has yet to make an appearance this season due to the form of Alan Goodhall and Lewis Emanuel.

ROTHERHAM have bolstered their defensive options with the signing of Ryan Cresswell from neighbours SHEFFIELD UNITED.

SHEFFIELD UNITED are hoping to complete a deal for midfielder Ze Maria in time for next weekend's visit of Southampton.

The 34-year-old Brazilian, who recently impressed Blades boss Bryan Robson in a week-long trial, is ready to commit and sign a one-year contract.

A United spokesman confirmed: "He's flying in today and we're hoping to tie a deal up on Tuesday, so potentially he's available for Saturday."

It had been hoped the former Inter Milan and Parma star, who has won 40 caps for Brazil, would make his debut in the midweek Carling Cup clash with Morecambe.

Ze Maria watched from the stands at Selhurst Park over the weekend as the Blades conceded a late penalty before going down 2-1 to Crystal Palace.