McCabe remains confident

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe has revealed the club will accept playing in the Coca-Cola Championship next season if that is the verdict of an arbitration panel - unless further points are raised which are "worth pursuing".

The Blades, who will put their case before the panel on Monday, insist West Ham should have been deducted points rather than being fined for breaching transfer regulations with the signings of Argentinian pair Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The plc chairman hopes for a decision to be reached by Tuesday and insisted no appeal would be made "unless there are points that come out through the arbitration that are worth pursuing".

The Hammers were fined £2.5million for signing contracts which allowed a third-party influence over the club, and £3million for failing to inform the Premier League about it.

League chiefs are confident the arbitration panel will find they acted strictly according to their regulations in both the disciplinary case against West Ham and in regards to the registration of Tevez.

The Blades will pursue their claim that an independent commission should have deducted points from the Hammers and the league should have cancelled the striker's registration.

It is more likely, however, that should the Yorkshire club persuade the arbitration panel of their case they would be awarded a compensation payment rather than the commission's decision be overturned.

But McCabe, who met European Commissioner for culture and sport Jan Figel on Friday, remains confident of a result in their favour.

He told Sky News: "I think we are very confident of winning. We have a compelling case that's based upon an irrational decision given by the first independent commission that was set up.

"We would not have pursed going to arbitration unless we thought we would win. I'm sure the arbitration panel will be the key people to make a decision and a full decision so maybe by the close of play on Tuesday we will know.

"I think we will know by then we are back in the Premiership or playing in the Championship next season. I think the panel is a strong panel that will make their decision properly."