Ferdinand issues plea for calm

Rio Ferdinand has sought to defuse the potentially explosive atmosphere surrounding his return to Elland Road this weekend.

Ferdinand concedes he is expecting a backlash from supporters following his transfer to Manchester United, and the flames have already been fanned by the Leeds striker Alan Smith, who said his former team-mate Ferdinand will be "hammered" by the fans.

"This is just football, remember," Ferdinand said. "It is not a war. It is not a life or death situation. Obviously, in an ideal world you would like them to give you a good reception and hope they remember the good times we had together."

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of the Australian international defender Tony Vidmar after the closure of the transfer window. Boro were able to recruit the former Rangers player after last month's deadline because he was out of contract. The 33-year-old will join the squad for tonight's home Premiership derby with Sunderland, provided clearance is received from Fifa, world football's ruling body, in time.

Paul Gascoigne is considering an offer to play in New Zealand, his agent said yesterday. Ian Elliott said that the 35-year-old former England midfielder was awaiting details of an offer for two or three games from Auckland Kingz, who play in the Australian Premier League.

A proposed move to the Major League soccer club DC United fell through last month but Elliott said Gascoigne still favoured a move to either the United States or the Far East.

Everton's Gary Naysmith was sent for a scan last night amid worries that he will need an operation on his right ankle. Naysmith returned to training yesterday, but the injury was still painful and the joint still swollen nine days after it was damaged in a game against Manchester City, whose striker Jon Macken is also facing a lengthy spell out of action after a knee operation.

West Bromwich Albion's assistant manager Frank Burrows has followed the example set by his manager Gary Megson and signed a new three-year deal.

The Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has said that his board would open negotiations soon with manager Martin O'Neill over a new contract, after announcing the club's end-of-year financial results. The Glasgow club made a profit from operations of £5.37m, compared to £0.87m the previous year.