Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has sparked a fitness scare ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League encounter with Bolton on Saturday by hinting he has been struck down by a stomach virus.

ALEX FERGUSON is banking on Wayne Rooney brushing off the usual hostile treatment from Everton fans today as Manchester United look to put the shock of their 6-1 defeat by Manchester City behind them.

Ashley Young is a doubt for Manchester United at Everton tomorrow with a toe injury.

MANCHESTER UNITED avoided further humiliation after their derby drubbing as they breezed through last night’s Carling Cup fourth round clash at Aldershot, winning 3-0.

Aldershot Town 0 Manchester United 3

Chelsea will play Everton, and Arsenal will face off against Bolton in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

ARSENE WENGER survived a mighty scare last night as James Collins’ early header gave League Two Shrewsbury the lead at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal recovered to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.

CHAMPIONSHIP sides West Ham and Bristol City were dumped out of the Carling Cup as League Two Aldershot and Swindon produced first-round shocks last night.

Peckham-raised England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities.

West Ham and Charlton have postponed tonight’s Carling Cup clashes following a third night of violent riots in London – casting doubt over whether England’s international friendly with Holland will go ahead.

West Ham have postponed their Carling Cup match against Aldershot following a request from the police.

Gervinho scored twice in his first 15 minutes as an Arsenal player as the Gunners beat Cologne 2-1 this afternoon.

Teenager Charlotte Purdue underlined her incredible potential with a runaway victory over vastly more experienced opponents in the SPAR Great Ireland run today.

HE MIGHT be the King but that does not make him a magician.

Today’s Barclays Premier League matches at Wigan and Liverpool have both fallen foul of the weather, the clubs have confirmed.

Portsmouth FC have tonight announced they are on the brink of being closed down.

The cold snap continued to bite in the UK this afternoon as a raft of sporting fixtures fell prey to the sub-zero conditions sweeping the country.

Blizzards and plummeting temperatures across the UK have already claimed a number of the weekend’s sporting fixtures with more set to follow later in the day.

DEAN KIELY insists he has not quit international football with Ireland and has claimed Giovanni Trapattoni broke an understanding that he would not be called up just to sit on the bench.

Wycombe have today confirmed the appointment of former Republic of Ireland international Gary Waddock as their new manager.

ROY KEANE’S Ipswich survived a major scare in the Carling Cup first round last night.

NOW all of 85 years of age, Tomás Mac Giolla made a rare public appearance in the pages of Hot Press this week, reflecting on a colourful and controversial life in Republican and left-wing politics in Ireland.

Football League new boys Burton Albion face a difficult away trip to Coca-Cola Championship club Reading following the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup today.

NEWLY-CROWNED Republic of Ireland U21 player of the year, Owen Garvan, is hoping he can replicate his club form for Don Givens in his last year at this level with the qualifying campaign for the 2011 European Championship approaching fast.

A LAST-GASP goal from Craig Mackail-Smith gave Peterborough a 1-0 win over Ryman Premier side AFC Hornchurch in the first round of the FA Cup yesterday.

Leeds have been handed a home clash against fellow Coca-Cola League One outfit Northampton following the draw for the first round of the FA Cup.

Roy Keane will be looking for a second win in as many months over former club Nottingham Forest after Sunderland were drawn against the Championship newcomers in the second round of the Carling Cup.

BIRMINGHAM secured their place in the second round of the Carling Cup with a routine 4-0 victory at Wycombe as all four Coca-Cola Championship teams avoided upsets last night.

Seven-time champion Stephen Hendry tonight hailed his greatest ever first round victory in 23 visits to the Crucible.

WEST BROM returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Zoltan Gera’s second-half goal earned the Baggies a 1-0 win at Wolves.

West Brom returned to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after Zoltan Gera’s second-half goal earned the Baggies a 1-0 win at Wolves.

FA Cup holders Liverpool have been drawn at home to Arsenal in the pick of the ties in the third round of this year’s competition.

Fabled FA Cup giantkillers Hereford booked themselves a third-round date in January by beating Coca-Cola League One side Port Vale 4-0 at Edgar Street today.

NON-LEAGUE Burscough could face a trip to Peterborough as reward for knocking League One Gillingham out of the FA Cup.

Shrewsbury are back in the Football League after a year’s absence.

Torquay claimed the third automatic promotion place in Nationwide Division Three with a 2-1 win at Southend.

Oldham are facing extinction after being told by Peter Ridsdale that he cannot save the ailing Second Division outfit.