Football news

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp backed his in-form striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to fire his team towards Wembley after the Russian's two goals helped them cruise into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The former Spartak Moscow striker, who was at the centre of speculation during the January transfer window, also netted a double in last Sunday's win at Wigan.

"He's in great form," Redknapp said after the 4-0 rout of Bolton at White Hart Lane.

"He's a quality finisher and his confidence should be high. Only he can get himself out of the team at the moment."

Anderson faces long lay-off

Brazilian midfielder Anderson will be out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate ligament, an injury sustained in Manchester United's 3-0 league win over West Ham on Tuesday.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Anderson, "had shown great energy and enthusiasm" on Tuesday but would be out for at least six months.

Ferguson also confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will miss England's friendly with Egypt next week because of the back injury that will also keep him out of Sunday's League Cup final against Aston Villa.

Ferguson added: "Rio Ferdinand is also out for Sunday, but his back injury is not serious. There's good news with light at the end of the tunnel for Ryan Giggs, who'll be back in training soon."

Matthews's boots fetch £38,400

The boots worn by Stanley Matthews in the 1953 FA Cup final have been sold for £38,400 at an auction.

The boots were expected to fetch about £8,000 when they went under the hammer at auctioneers Bonhams in Chester but fetched almost five times that amount.

Matthews played an inspirational role for Blackpool against Bolton Wanderers in the final, as his team, trailing 3-1 with 20 minutes to play, came back to win 4-3.

Although Stan Mortensen scored a hat-trick for Blackpool, the match has entered football folklore as "The Matthews Final".

Matthews died aged 85 in 2000.

PSG captain Makelele to retire

Paris St Germain captain Claude Makelele has announced he plans to retire at the end of the season.

The former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder has been an almost ever present this campaign, taking part in all but three of PSG's Ligue 1 matches.

At the age of 37, Makelele is ready to hang up his boots, although he admits he could change his mind in the summer.

"It's really my last season," Makelele said. "My future is behind me. Today it's my last season, but tomorrow that could change."

Cech out for up to a month

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is likely to be sidelined for up to four weeks after injuring his calf in Wednesday's Champions League game at Inter.

"Chelsea can confirm scans show Petr Cech suffered a tear in a calf muscle during the second half against Inter and he is expected to be out for three to four weeks," said a statement on the London club's website yesterday.

The Czech Republic international was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by substitute Hilario midway through the second half of the 2-1 last 16 first leg defeat at the San Siro.

Cech will be sidelined for the Premier League games at home to Manchester City tomorrow and West Ham United on March 13 plus the FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke City on March 7.

Vargas pledges future to Viola

Fiorentina's full-back Juan Manuel Vargas says he doesn't want to leave the club amid interest from Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old Peru international has made significant progress at the Artemio Franchi since his move from Catania in 2008.

Real Madrid are said to be preparing a €20m bid for Vargas as they look to increase their options at the full-back position but the 26-year-old has no plans to leave.

Speaking to La Nazione, Vargas said: "I have chosen Florence and I will not leave here.

"If Fiorentina don't want me then I will leave. But they have to say it in my face and to the fans because I don't want to come across as a traitor."

Marseille fans warned over PSG trip

Olympique Marseille fans will be in "real danger" when the Ligue 1 title contenders visit arch-rivals Paris St Germain on Sunday, authorities in Marseille said.

Clashes between supporters erupted in the centre of Marseille after their first encounter of the season was postponed last October only hours before kick-off due to swine flu cases in the PSG squad.

Twenty people were injured and 18 were arrested. Five Marseille fans were later sentenced to jail terms.

"They have to understand that all those measures are taken in their best interest and to protect their integrity. They are in real danger as some PSG fans want to try and assault them," prefect of Marseille region Michel Sappin said.