STRESS case police sergeant Nigel Miller has been sidelined as a football linesman for a second time.

Sgt Miller, who sparked a national debate when he ran the line in the Leeds United versus Manchester United match while on sick leave from work, was due to officiate at Bradford City today.

But he and Division One officials have decided he should not take part in the match because of the intense scrutiny he has been put under.

So the 42-year-old father-of-two has been forced to step down from the match, the second change to his weekend arrangements.

He had been due to run the line at his dream fixture - the North East derby between Newcastle and Sunderland.

He found himself relegated to the Bradford v Burnley game but now he won't even be allowed to take part in that.

Instead, the officer is facing a weekend alone at his flat in a village on the outskirts of Durham City.

A Premier League spokesman said: "We can confirm that Sgt Miller will not officiate at any games this weekend."

But he added: "He is back at work now and ready for action both in his job and on the football field."

Sgt Miller returned to work on Thursday at Bishop Auckland police station, County Durham.

He began sick leave, citing stress, shortly after taking up the post a month ago.

Prior to starting his desk job, he was an instructor at Durham Constabulary's firearms unit in Urlay Nook.