Roy Carroll believes he has moved significantly closer towards signing a new contract at Manchester United after agreeing, in principle, a financial package with the club's chief executive, David Gill.

United have marginally increased their original terms to offer Carroll a salary in the region of £20,000-a-week. The Northern Ireland goalkeeper had hoped to join the club's £30,000-a-week earners, but he is also mindful that his highly publicised mistake against Tottenham a week ago has considerably weakened his bargaining position.

It is understood that Gill will approach Alex Ferguson before returning to Carroll and his representatives to ascertain whether the manager regards the Irishman as a first-team player, or whether he intends to bring in another goalkeeper.

Everton remain confident that their proposed £12.8 million investment package from the Brunei-based Fortress Sports Fund, due to be completed before Christmas, will be finalised in the next few days. The finances, to purchase a 29.9 per cent stake in the club, have still to clear in Everton's accounts despite assurances that the money would be in place once the holiday period finished.

That has prompted fears that the director, Paul Gregg, whose spat with chairman Bill Kenwright destabilised the club last summer, could use the delay to prepare a counter offer. The head of the Fortress Fund is understood to be in Singapore attempting to conclude the deal.

"The delay is concerning," said Everton's chief executive, Keith Wyness. "We are relying on the assurances given by Chris Samuelson, but we must explore other options. We have been talking to other people."

Harry Redknapp will come face to face with his former employer Milan Mandaric for the first time since his appointment by Southampton when he hosts his old side Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round.

Chelsea will host Birmingham in one of four potential all-Premiership ties, while Arsenal host Wolves, their semi-final opponents in the Gunners' 1998 Double year. Provided Manchester United overcome Conference side Exeter in next Wednesday's replay, a home draw with Middlesbrough awaits the holders.

With the Premiership's biggest clubs all set for home ties, the acrimony that surrounded Redknapp's departure from Fratton Park and his switch to St Mary's makes the south coast derby stand out as the most interesting.

"I could see it coming. When there were only eight teams left, I said, 'It's a certainty, this'. Amazing," said Redknapp, before raising the stakes with a reminder of his achievements at Fratton Park.

"I would have preferred to avoid them, for sure. Maybe there'll be a backlash. But I took them from next to the bottom of the First Division to where they are today. Maybe if I'd never gone there they wouldn't be in the Premier League now."

But it appears the rift with Mandaric which drove Redknapp out of the club has not healed. Southampton's manager revealed they have not spoken since his appointment but insisted they would when the two clubs meet. Mandaric was the more bullish about the tie, apparently keen for it to demonstrate how Portsmouth are coping without Redknapp. "It is a great draw for us," he said. "It is great for the supporters. We have good confidence because we are a good team with good management."

The only tie which raises the possibility of a genuine giantkilling effort is Yeovil's visit to Charlton.

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