Ferdinand given England captaincy

Beckham to win 100th cap 

England held at Molineux

Edman injury blow 

Rangers land kit deal

Lundekvam to retire

Keeper joins Forest

Stags appoint Holland 

Gretna release Yantorno

Scottish League round-up

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been named England captain to face France in tomorrow’s friendly in Paris. A statement from the FA said: “Fabio Capello has confirmed that Rio Ferdinand will captain England against France in Paris. Capello has confirmed this continues his policy of rotating the captaincy between players in the friendly matches before confirming a permanent captain for the World Cup qualifying games.”

Fabio Capello has also revealed that David Beckham will feature at some stage in tomorrow’s friendly and win his 100th England cap.

England Under-21’s were held to a goalless draw by their Polish counterparts at Molineux.  

Wigan Athletic defender Erik Edman faces up to six months on the sidelines after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee during his side’s 3-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park last Saturday. 

Queens Park Rangers have sealed a five-year kit sponsorship deal with Lotto Italia that will be worth up to £20m if they win promotion to the Premier League. The contract will begin at the start of next season.

Southampton club captain Claus Lundekvam has announced his retirement from professional football due to an ankle injury.

Nottingham Forest have signed 29-year-old Coventry City goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos on loan until the end of the season.

Mansfield Town have named 34-year-old Paul Holland as their new manager until the end of the season. Holland has been in caretaker charge of the club since Billy Dearden’s departure earlier this month.

Rotherham United players have been asked by the club’s administrator to take a wage deferral in order to allow the cash-strapped club to continue trading. The deal still has to be agreed by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Gretna have released injured Uruguayan Fabian Yantorno because they cannot afford to pay for his rehabilitation. The 25-year-old suffered a knee ligament injury against Falkirk on January 19. Gretna caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth said: “Fabian needs specialist rehabilitation, which we can’t provide. It was his and his agent’s wish that he could be released so he could go elsewhere for treatment.” Meanwhile, 22-year-old defender Aurelien Collin and 21-year-old striker Mickael Buscher, who have also asked to leave the club and will ask FIFA for special dispensation to join new clubs despite the closure of the transfer window.

In the Scottish First Division, struggling Clyde beat St Johnstone 1-2 at McDiarmid Park while Kevin Harper netted a hat-trick as Dunfermline Athletic won 2-3 at Stirling Albion.

In the Third Division, East Stirlingshire and Dumbarton drew 1-1  at Firs Park.   

Nathan Davies