Westhoughton have been given until the end of June to sort out the wrangle over professional Rod Estwick.

The West Indian was banned from playing after the Department of Employment pointed out that his work permit only allowed him into this country as a cricket coach and not as a player.

That left Westhoughton without a professional, which would have been against league rules, but last night the Bolton League committee decided not to take any further action - for the time being.

In a statement they said: "The League committee came to the conclusion that they could not ignore a decision made by the Department of Education and Employment.

"But Westhoughton have been allowed up to the end of June to resolve their differences with the Department."

The committee would not expand on that but I understand the case was looked at sympathetically especially since the work permit was initially accepted by the League and Estwick allowed to play.

The club will now continue its discussions with Whitehall in a bid to have the matter resolved.

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