Sporting Digest: Football

Neville Southall, the Everton goalkeeper, has been awarded a testimonial in August to mark his 14 years' service at Goodison. Everton will entertain Celtic at Goodison Park on 1 August.

Bryan "Pop" Robson, who played for Sunderland in three different spells, is to leave Manchester United's back-room staff to take over at Roker Park as reserve-team coach. Jim Montgomery has been sacked as Sunderland's director of youth football.

Third Division Gillingham have been saved from possible expulsion from the Football League following the confirmation of a new owner, Kent businessman Paul Scally. It has also been confirmed that the former Bournemouth manager, Tony Pulis, is Gillingham's new team manager.

A dry run for the 1998 World Cup in France, the Mondialito 1997, will go ahead next June between France and three teams from Brazil, Italy, Germany, England and Spain