Football news in brief

He was accused of driving while more than four times the limit on last February but court officials confirmed the case has been dropped.

Hammers poised for Olympic Stadium

WEST Ham United have won the backing of Olympic bosses in the battle for the 2012 stadium, according to BBC reports yesterday. Olympic Park Legacy Company executives are believed to have decided the offer from the east London club - which would retain the athletics track - is better than Tottenham's rival bid and West Ham are expected to be confirmed as the preferred bidder today.

Ivanovic signs new contract at Chelsea

CHELSEA defender Branislav Ivanovic has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the club. Ivanovic will remain at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2016 after agreeing the new deal.

The Serbian, who can play at right-back or centre-half, has made 99 appearances for the Blues since arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008.

Rodwell is out for 'four to six weeks'

EVERTON midfielder Jack Rodwell is set to be out for a month with a groin injury. The 19-year-old lasted just 12 minutes of England's U21 friendly defeat to Italy on Tuesday before he was substituted with the injury. He underwent assessment at the club's Finch Farm training ground yesterday and last night used Twitter to suggest he would be out for "four to six weeks".

Newcastle sign up Finnish striker Kuqi

NEWCASTLE United have confirmed the signing of Finland international striker Shefki Kuqi until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who was a free agent after his contract with npower Championship Swansea was terminated by mutual consent last month, could go straight into the squad for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to play Blackburn Rovers, who are one of his former clubs.