MANCHESTER UNITED were drawn into the kit controversy yesterday when they confirmed they will unveil their third new outfit in six months in January.

In England, some parents are still reeling from the news that the England Euro 96 shirts they have bought as Christmas presents for their children will be obsolete in the new year.

But United insist their own move is no shock and no one will be left with a sore pocket. "We announced this change at a press conference on April 15th," said spokesman Ken Ramsden.

"It is a well established policy that United alternately change their home and away kits at the beginning of August, and the third kit is introduced every second January. Supporters who buy our kits know what the lifespan is."

Unlike England fans, no United supporters are likely to be giving soon to be out of date Christmas presents. "We have no shirts left - they sold out some time ago," said Ramsden.

"All we have are third kit goalkeeper's jerseys and they are on sale at half price, so it could be the bargain answer for some parents."

England's move to change their strip early in the new year sparked a row, with charges of cynical marketing levelled at the English FA, who conceded they have made a marketing blunder. They have promised that future kit launches will be held in the summer close season.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister John Major last night told the FA he would strongly support an FA bid to bring the World Cup to England in 2006.

The FA, who discussed government backing for a bid with Major for an hour yesterday, will hold further detailed talks with the government within the next two weeks. A measure of the Prime Minister's support would be the staging of a special Downing Street reception ahead of next February's World Cup qualifier against Italy.

It is estimated that staging the World Cup could cost double the £150 million it cost for the European Championship but FA chief executive Graham Kelly said finances had not been discussed yet.

Jay Notley, the 18 year old Charlton player, faces a lengthy ban from football after testing positive for an amazing cocktail of drugs, including cocaine, cannabis and Ecstasy. Both Ecstasy and cocaine are class A substances and cocaine is regarded as a performance enhancer.

Notley has been charged with misconduct by the FA and suspended immediately pending his appearance before a disciplinary commission.

The last player caught taking cocaine, Orient's Roger Stanislaus, was banned from football for a year and sacked by his club.

Notley is the third Charlton player caught by the random tests. Teenagers Dean Chandler and Lee Bowyer, who is now an England under 21 with Leeds, were given counselling when they were among the first detected. But their offence was just cannabis use. Though illegal, it is regarded as a recreational drug and a social problem.

A fourth Charlton player, Craig Sloan, has confessed in the tabloid press on several occasions to drug abuse but was never charged by the FA.