Football: Ginola agrees to stay at Spurs

DAVID GINOLA has ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year contract with Tottenham. Ginola's future was uncertain, despite his two Player of the Year awards, but now the 32-year-old Frenchman has agreed a deal which could see him end his playing career with Tottenham.

Ginola indicated earlier this week that he might leave the north London club, with his wages being a possible sticking point. The former Newcastle man was believed to be earning pounds 16,000 a week on the four-year contract he signed when joining Spurs in the summer of 1997. His decision has put his manager, George Graham, in positive mood for the game against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Even though a Spurs win could effectively deliver the title to their North London rivals Arsenal, Graham says his team will not lie down and hand United the three points.

Although many cynics said Graham would soon part with the 32-year-old Ginola, his manager said: "I never anticipated a problem with David agreeing a new contract and I'm delighted to have him here. He deserved to earn more money and when I knew what kind of deal was being offered to him I always thought he would sign it. He can be ineffective in some games but he's done well for me and he's an entertainer who is great for the fans. He's got tremendous individual skill and what we've got to do next season is get more goals and more final product from him."

Kevin Campbell, who has made an immediate impact with Everton since joining them on loan from his Turkish club Trabzanspor, has agreed to take a pay cut to sign for the Goodison Park club. He is expected to join for around pounds 16,000 a week, which is a drop of close to pounds 500,000 a year on his Turkish contract.

The only sticking point may be the fee. The Turks want pounds 3m, while at the moment Everton can only find about pounds 2.5m.

Manchester United's campaign on three fronts received a fillip yesterday with the news that Jaap Stam and possibly Roy Keane may be available for the crucial game against Spurs.

While Stam, who has a sore Achilles heel, was only taken off at half- time against Blackburn on Wednesday as a precaution, Keane left Middlesbrough last Sunday on crutches after suffering a bruised left ankle. "The swelling has gone down and the bruising come out and he's jogging now which will help circulation," said the United manager, Alex Ferguson.

There was bad news for European Cup final opponents Bayern Munich when Bixente Lizarazu limped out of training yesterday. The French left-back has been out of action with a torn left knee ligament.

Barcelona are facing a row over ticket sales for the final, with a Spanish newspaper reporting that 33 club directors have been handed 50 tickets apiece. United and Bayern Munich have each received 30,000 tickets.

West Ham are hoping to sign the former Scotland defender Richard Gough, who has been on loan at Nottingham Forest for the past two months from America's Major League Soccer.

West Ham's Paolo Di Canio is set to be sued by Sheffield Wednesday's London supporters club following the loss of their Player of the Year trophy. A solicitor has been instructed to issue proceedings for the value of the pounds 85 trophy, plus costs.