England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has revealed how one of his team-mates while at West Ham suffered racist abuse from an opponent.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard is set to return as Everton are likely to make only one change for their final home match of the season against Portsmouth.

Ricardo Carvalho has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has received a double fitness boost ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Tottenham.

Rio Ferdinand claims he is determined to recover his best form and regain his England place.

Zat Knight returns to the Fulham squad for Monday’s Premiership clash with Charlton after being dropped from the squad for disciplinary reasons.

Everton manager David Moyes’ problems continue to grow as he saw his £6m (€8.7m) striker James Beattie limp out of a reserve team match last night.

Roy Keane would be able to play in Europe this season if he chose to join Bolton – although he could not do so for Real Madrid.

West Ham’s new signing Yaniv Katan has revealed the presence of fellow Israeli Yossi Benayoun convinced him to sign for the London club.

Aston Villa midfielder Steven Davis has agreed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the Midlands club.

Northern Ireland could be set to stage a glamour game in honour of the late George Best.

Celtic defender Gary Caldwell is the only absentee for the Bank of Scotland Premier League trip to Hibernian on Sunday.

Brazil striker Ronaldo has singled out England counterpart Wayne Rooney to be the star of next year’s World Cup in Germany.

Phil Neville is set to make his Everton debut tomorrow in the Champions League qualifier against Spanish side Villarreal at Goodison Park.

A goal in each half from Didier Drogba and substitute Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea’s title dreams alive at Fratton Park.

German referee Markus Merk will take charge of the UEFA celebration game at Old Trafford on March 13.

Everton have taken up the option on full-back Nuno Valente’s contract to keep him at Goodison Park for a further year.

Fulham will be without suspended captain and former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown at home to Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round.

Richard Dunne looks certain to miss Manchester City’s trip to Bolton on Saturday even though a scan on his injured knee showed no lasting damage.

Former England captain David Beckham is not guaranteed a starting place for Real Madrid against Real Betis tomorrow, according to the Spanish club’s coach Fabio Capello.