Moyes delays verdict on Ferguson's future

Ferguson is one of four senior players out of contract at Everton this summer, along with Nigel Martyn, David Weir and Alan Stubbs, and is expected to bring his colourful, controversial and combustible career to a close following the final home game of the season. After a campaign in which he has started only nine games, not scored a single goal, received a seven-match suspension for violent conduct and again been blighted by injury, it is highly unlikely the former Scotland international will be offered another of the pay-as-you-play contracts that he signed last year or, indeed, wish to sign one.

Ferguson, however, retains cult status at Everton, for whom he has scored 71 goals in 272 appearances, but supporters' hopes of preparing a tribute to the striker signed from Glasgow Rangers for £4m in 1994 have been stalled by Moyes' refusal to inform his out-of-contract players of their fate until Monday.

The Everton manager, who may have to call on Ferguson tomorrow if James Beattie fails to recover from a calf strain, said: "I have known in my mind for a while what I am going to do with the players who are out of contract but I am only going to speak to them once the season is over. I will tell the players from Monday."

* The former England international, Darren Anderton, is one of four Wolves players being released by Glenn Hoddle. He is joined by Stefan Postma, Maurice Ross and Vio Ganea.