Ferguson agrees to play on at Whites

Ferguson, who joined the Whites from Linfield in the summer, vowed he would hang up his boots after one more season.

However, Whites boss Tommy Wright has tempted the 40-year-old to play on. "I have known Tommy for a long time and he has asked me to get involved with some coaching and play when needed," said Ferguson.

"We'll see how the pre-season goes. I still feel fit and a lot of people have been saying to me play on as long as you can, so I'll play when the boss needs me. It will be nothing like this season, but I'll give it a go."

Ferguson netted a late equaliser to earn a draw in the final game of the season on Saturday at home to Coleraine.

Rory Patterson had fired the Bannsiders ahead in the first half, but the hard working Whites deserved their draw. Ckoleraine keeper David O'Hare made a string of fine saves as the home side pressed hard to get back into the game, but he could not deny Ferguson who nodded home a long ball into the box near the end.

Linfield lost the cup final rehearsal at Portadown 1-0, but they had only one player on the field from the midweek title winning team.