Moyes remains confident Wright will avoid surgery

The Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright is expected to discover in the next 24 hours whether he needs surgery on his troublesome knee. Wright was injured in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday and had to be replaced by Nigel Martyn.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, is confident that surgery can be avoided, but is not taking any risks. "He is going to see a specialist and at the moment he doesn't look too bad," Moyes said. "We will know more later."

The Everton striker Wayne Rooney is expected to play against Middlesbrough on Sunday despite suffering a slight ankle injury at the weekend. Moyes said: "Wayne is OK. We don't think it is too serious and hopefully he will train in the middle of the week. It is a case of waiting and finding out."

Moyes has also been pleased by the return to form of Duncan Ferguson. "Duncan's training in the past few days has been the best since I have been here," Moyes said. "He has got himself into condition to play and perform regularly. He has trained every day this season, which I think is the longest period for some time."

West Ham United could be the target of a compensation claim this week after Titi Camara began court proceedings for damages for alleged breach of contract. Camara made just seven starts for West Ham, who paid Liverpool £2.2m for him in December 2000, and never scored for the club. His contract was terminated by mutual consent following West Ham's relegation last season.