Rooney to play for Everton again... for one game
Wayne Rooney will be back in an Everton squad next month after the England captain agreed to play in Duncan Ferguson's testimonial.
Manchester United striker Rooney and Ferguson were team-mates at Goodison Park in the early part of the last decade before the former left his boyhood club for Old Trafford in 2004.
Ferguson's time with the Toffees will be remembered in a testimonial friendly against Villarreal on August 2 and Rooney, currently out in the United States on United's pre-season tour, will turn out to honour his "hero".
"As a young lad growing up in Croxteth, Duncan Ferguson was a hero of mine," Rooney said.
"As a young player at the club he was an inspiration and when I broke into the first team he helped and looked after me.
"I cannot think of a better way to thank Dunc for all he did for me than turning out in his fully deserved testimonial match.
"Had he not asked me to play I would have gone and supported him on the day as I am sure most other Evertonians will."