SHANE DUFFY was yesterday transferred from intensive care to the high dependency unit at the Mater Hospital and, if he continues to make good progress, could be discharged by the weekend.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has thrown his full support behind the American takeover bid of George Gillett and Tom Hicks that is on the brink of acceptance by the club.

Everton are expected to name a Russian as their new benefactor after a board meeting today, but they insist it is not pulp and paper tycoon Boris Zingarevich, whose family has a £362m fortune.

Everton’s cash crisis and boardroom power battle have contributed to 14 players being in the final year of their contracts.