Football: Ferdinand optimism over injury

THE WEST HAM manager, Harry Redknapp, is hopeful that Rio Ferdinand will not be ruled out for the rest of the season despite sustaining ankle ligament damage in the goalless draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Friday.

"I don't think he'll be out for the season," said Redknapp. "I'll be disappointed if he is."

Steve Potts, who came on for Ferdinand against Villa, will deputise against Charlton at Upton Park today.

Igor Stimac, the Derby County captain, says he wants to stay at Derby for the rest of his career. The Croat, currently out with an ankle injury, is out of contract at the end of next season.

Stimac, who was reported last month as saying he might want a move if he did not feel the Pride Park club was ambitious enough, said: "I'm in negotiations with the club to sign another contract. I was never thinking of leaving this place."