Ferdinand’s battle of Bolton

RIO FERDINAND heads to Bolton for the biggest battle of his career today — with chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, Gordon Taylor, believing the verdict has already been delivered against Manchester United’s record signing.

Not since Eric Cantona launched himself into the crowd at Selhurst Park nine years ago, has a disciplinary issue captured as much attention as Ferdinand now has failing to appear for a random drugs test at United's Carrington training ground in September. The verdict will be delivered, maybe tomorrow evening, by panel chairman Barry Bright who banned Roy Keane for eight games last year giving Ferdinand and his legal team two days to try to wriggle free.

Their case will be fairly straightforward Ferdinand forgot to take the test, offered to come back 90 minutes later and was turned down and Taylor is convinced by the argument.