West Ham's Worthington Cup quarterfinal with Aston Villa may have to be replayed and West Ham could even be expelled from the tournament for fielding an ineligible player in Wednesday's match at Upton Park. Emmanuel Omoyimni came off the bench for the final eight minutes of extra-time before West Ham went on to win on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Omoyimni played for Gillingham in both legs of their second-round tie with Bolton and a Football League spokesman said yesterday: "It is against the rules of the competition. We're now looking into that and speaking to the clubs involved."

Rivaldo of Barcelona has been named European player of the year, according to L'Equipe, the sister publication of France Football which organises the annual poll. Manchester United's David Beckham was runner-up.

Reports in Italy suggest that Inter Milan will this weekend decide whether to make a move to buy Coventry's Robbie Keane. The Italian club is apparently prepared to pay up to £9 million for the striker.

Leeds yesterday increased their left-sided midfield options by signing Jason Wilcox from Blackburn for £3 million. Wilcox, 28, won his second England cap earlier this year as a substitute against France, three years after making his debut under Terry Venables. He becomes the last regular member of Blackburn's 1995 championship-winning team to leave Ewood Park.