Third hernia operation for Everton's Ferguson

Duncan Ferguson, the Everton striker, is to have a third hernia operation in an attempt to cure the problem that has troubled him for more than a year.

Ferguson and Everton had hoped that rest would be the cure after he was pulled out of Scotland's Euro 96 squad. It has now been decided that surgery is the only answer for the former Rangers player. Ferguson, who had his first operation before last season's FA Cup Final, is to have the surgery in two weeks' time.

Rotherham United have been put up for sale less than a month after winning the Auto Windscreen Shield at Wembley. Chairman Ken Booth, aged 75, who rescued the Second Division club in 1987, announced that he will retire and has put his 86 per cent controlling interest on the market.

The club celebrated its most famous day last month when they beat Shrewsbury in the Shield final on their first appearance at Wembley.

The defender Paddy Atkinson returns after gashing a knee to bolster York City's defence for their relegation cliffhanger at Brighton this morning. York will beat the drop and condemn Carlisle United to the Third Division if they pick up a point, or even score three goals in defeat, against the already-relegated south coast side.

The game is being restaged with an 11am kick-off after the original fixture on 27 April was abandoned when Brighton fans rioted over proposals to leave the Goldstone Ground. Carlisle are furious that the game will take place after the completion of all other Second Division fixtures, saying York have an unfair advantage because they know what they have to do to avoid the trapdoor.

The Cumbrian club's chief executive, Michael Knighton, has threatened legal action against the Endsleigh League. York expect to be backed by around 400 supporters, who have been given free tickets by Brighton.

Trevor Phillips, who brought sponsorship to the FA Cup and the England national team, has resigned as the Football Association's commercial director after "professional differences" with senior Lancaster Gate officials.