JEFF WHITLEY is free to play in Sunderland's play-off push after escaping a ban from the Football Association yesterday, writes Paul Fraser.

The midfielder had a charge of violent behaviour reduced to improper conduct for an incident during the match with Preston on March 10, when he clashed with Graham Alexander.

Had Whitley been found guilty of violent behaviour he would have missed at least one of Sunderland's play-off games.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy, who already has a number of players ruled out through injury, was happy with the outcome of the hearing at Soho Square.

McCarthy, whose player has been fined and warned about his future conduct, said: "The club fully accepts the findings of the disciplinary panel and we are pleased that we will not lose Jeff for what will be a vital period."

* Former Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who has been out of work since parting company with Leeds United in November, is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Eric Black at Coventry.

Black was sacked less than 24 hours after a 5-2 victory at Gillingham.

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