• The percentage of patients in drug free clinical remission at week 48 having withdrawn therapy at week 24 i.e. the induction of drug free remission. [ Time Frame: week 48 ]
  

• The percentage of patients in clinical remission at week 24 (when all drugs will be withdrawn if remission has been achieved). [ Time Frame: week 24 ]
  
• The percentage of patients in radiological remission (no ultrasound evidence of synovitis) at week 24. [ Time Frame: week 24 ]
  
• Clinical disease activity measures, including ACR responder rates (20%, 50%, and 70%), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), functional assessments (HAQ) and health status (EuroQuol-5D) at week 24. [ Time Frame: week 24 ]
  
• The percentage of patients in drug free radiological remission (no ultrasound evidence of synovitis) at week 48 having withdrawn therapy at week 24. [ Time Frame: week 48 ]
  
• Clinical disease activity measures, including ACR responder rates (20%, 50%, and 70%), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), functional assessments (HAQ) and health status (EuroQuol-5D) at weeks 48 and 96. [ Time Frame: weeks 48 and 96. ]
  
• The rate of progression of radiological change on conventional radiographs from baseline to week 48 and week 96. [ Time Frame: weeks 48 and 96 ]
  

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age over 18 years
• Synovial swelling of at least 1 joint confirmed by clinical assessment
• Duration of symptoms attributable to inflammatory joint disease (pain, swelling or early morning stiffness of >1 hour) of < 12 weeks.
• Seropositivity for RF and anti-CCP Ab
• Women of childbearing potential or men capable of fathering children must be using adequate birth control measures (eg, abstinence, oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, barrier method with spermicide, surgical sterilization) during the study.
• Female subjects of childbearing potential must test negative for pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous history of inflammatory arthritis.
• Previous use of DMARDs or anti-TNF-agents.
• Any current inflammatory condition with signs or symptoms that might confound the diagnosis (e.g. connective tissue disorders).
• Clinical evidence of latent or active granulomatous infection, including TB, histoplasmosis, or coccidioidomycosis, prior to study entry.
• Administration, or expected administration, of any live virus or bacterial vaccination within 3 months before the first administration of study agent, or during the trial.
• A history of an infected joint prosthesis, or administration of antibiotics for a suspected infection of a joint prosthesis, if that prosthesis has not been removed or replaced.
• Known infection with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
• A serious infection that in the opinion of the investigator precludes receipt of a TNF blocking agent.
• Serious and uncontrolled co-existing disease that in the opinion of the investigator preclude the use of TNF-blocking medication, methotrexate or depomedrone (including pulmonary disease on chest radiograph, congestive cardiac failure (NYHA grade 3 or 4), history of demyelinating disease such as multiple sclerosis or optic neuritis).
• Bleeding disorder of the use of anti-coagulants
• Any known malignancy or a history of malignancy within the previous 5 years (with the exception of a basal cell carcinoma that has been treated with no evidence of recurrence).
• Any other contraindication to etanercept, methotrexate or parenteral depomedrone.
• Patients will also be excluded with the following laboratory results: haemoglobin <8.5 gm/dl, total white cell count <3.5 x 109/litre, serum transaminase value more than twice the upper limit of normal, and serum creatinine >150 micromoles/litre.