French striker Mickael Madar, who completed his free transfer to Everton yesterday, believes that his partnership with Duncan Ferguson can save the club from demotion to the first division.

Madar, 29, was highly impressed with the fiery Scot after watching him hit a hat-trick in the 3-2 success over Bolton on Sunday.

And after completing his move from Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna, the Frenchman is itching to link up with Ferguson and fire the goals which will take Everton out of relegation trouble.

The strikers will have to wait until January 10th to join forces as Madar has not been registered in time to play in next Sunday's FA Cup third round tie with Newcastle at Goodison.

The Premiership clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park will signal the launch of what Everton manager Howard Kendall is banking on being the answer to a woeful scoring record of just 20 goals in 21 league games this season.

Madar said: "I know a lot about the Premiership through watching it live and seeing English football on television and I am excited about trying to succeed in this country.

"The World Cup is also on the horizon and I am hoping that if I play well for Everton over the next few months it will help me to get into the national squad for next summer's finals."

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand, the rising star of England's defence, has committed himself to West Ham until 2005 - and says he "did not have to think twice" about doing so.

Ferdinand, 19, agreed to extend his existing four-year contract by a further three years as part of negotiations to increase his salary following his call-up to the England side against Cameroon last month.

Both player and club believe the new deal will finally put an end to speculation that Manchester United are aiming to sign him on a `pay now, play later' basis.

Ferdinand, who joined West Ham as a trainee, said after putting pen to paper: "This proves that I am committed to West Ham for the foreseeable future, and I'm not going anywhere.

"I'm happy to be a West Ham player and to repay them for the faith they have shown in me in the past and giving me my first chance in football. Now I just want to get on with playing football.

"I've been here for ages now and I love West Ham. I'm going to be a West Ham player for as long as I can think at the moment, and nothing is standing in my way from being at West Ham for the rest of my life."

Ferdinand had signed the original four-year deal last spring.