Rio ponders appeal

Rio Ferdinand has until January 19 to decide whether to appeal against the eight-month ban imposed on him by an independent three-man disciplinary commission for failing to take a drugs test.

The Manchester United and England centre back’s ban was originally due to start on January 12.

But in line with Football Association regulations, United requested written confirmation of the precise reasons behind the punishment.

United and the FA yesterday revealed they have received the confirmation from the commission.

When the FA announced Ferdinand’s ban at a hearing in Bolton on December 19 United director and solicitor Maurice Watkins said an appeal against the “savage and unprecedented” punishment was “inevitable”.

At the weekend, United boss Alex Ferguson said Ferdinand was almost certain to appeal.

If Ferdinand does not appeal he will be able to play up to and including United’s game against Wolves on January 17, and the first fixture he would miss would be the FA Cup fourth-round trip to Northampton or Rotherham.

While Ferguson stated his desire for a home tie in the fourth round, he will not be too displeased at landing non-Premiership opposition.

The romantics will hope for an encounter with Northampton – whose only previous FA Cup meeting with United at the County Ground in 1970 is remembered for the remarkable goalscoring feats of George Best.

The Northern Irishman hit the net an incredible six times as he ran Northampton’s defence to a standstill, United going on to record an 8-2 win.

Having failed to get past the fifth round since winning the 1999 final against Newcastle in their Treble-winning year, Ferguson and his team will be confident of advancing another stage.

But all thoughts of a trip to the Millennium Stadium will be put to one side this week as United tackle a tricky Premiership double-header which incorporates the short trip to Bolton tomorrow before Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Gary Neville said: “It’s a tough week for us, and Bolton will be very difficult opponents.

“It’s not just because it is a derby, or that they are a big local rival.

“Sam Allardyce seems to have generated a great spirit up there – and if you look at their results this season, the simple truth is that they are as strong as I have known them and harder to beat than they have ever been.

“Put it this way; we will have to play better than we did on Sunday to win the match.”