Newcastle striker Mark Viduka wants to stay at Newcastle

Newcastle striker Mark Viduka insists he is keen to remain with the club and has urged the hierarchy to do all they can to retain Alan Shearer as manager.

Viduka, 33, is out of contract at the end of this season, which is when Shearer's interim role is due to end.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I'd love to spend more time at this club.

"I have been here for two years and we've had five managers. I would say to whoever is in charge, keep Alan for as long as he needs."

Viduka added: "The fans love him, he is Newcastle through and through, he is a big personality, people respect him and the players respect him."

Newcastle boosted their chances of avoiding relegation by beating Middlesbrough 3-1 on Monday to move out of the bottom three on goal difference.

Viduka has returned from an Achilles tendon injury to feature in four of Shearer's six games in charge, helping the Magpies to a draw at Portsmouth and the victory over Boro - their first win at St James' Park since 21 December.

He claims to have been largely overlooked by Joe Kinnear, who was forced to stand down as Newcastle manager after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery in February, and credits Shearer for his impressive form of late.

"When I had problems with my Achilles, I worked hard to get back, but Joe didn't look like he wanted to use me," said Viduka.

"When Alan came in, the first thing he said to me was 'Are you up for a fight?' and I am always up for a fight. I said 'Definitely'.

"I'm a massive fan of Alan's. I admired him as a player, we play the same position, and when someone with his personality and what he has done in the game comes and says 'I need you', it lifts you."

Newcastle face Fulham at home on Saturday before finishing the season away to Aston Villa, and Viduka is backing Shearer to help save the club from relegation and stay on as manager next season.

"He's had a massive impact, I wish him all the best. I hope we stay up and he's got a long career here," said the Australian.

"Everybody respects Alan - he's got that automatically. Maybe he doesn't have the experience as a manager, but he has got that presence about him."

Nolan completes Newcastle switch

Bolton have confirmed Kevin Nolan has joined Newcastle United for £4m on a four-and-a-half year contract.

The midfielder is seen as the ideal replacement for Joey Barton, who faces a long spell on the sidelines at Newcastle after breaking his foot.

"It was an opportunity which was impossible to turn down," Nolan told Newcastle's official website.

"He's got a good eye for goal and has got bags of Premier League experience," said Magpies boss Joe Kinnear.

Nolan spent 12 seasons at Bolton, scoring 50 goals in 345 first-team appearances.

He has featured in all of Bolton's 23 matches so far this season, scoring once.

And Kinnear believes his tenacity will help him become a big success at St James's Park.

"He's a player I think our fans will love," he said. "He's a real inspirational player and a great character. He's the sort of lad that never knows when he is beaten.

"I think he is going to be a very valuable player for us and someone who can help us climb back up the table."

Bolton boss Gary Megson made moves for a replacement for Nolan on Monday, when he signed midfielder Mark Davies from Wolves.

Football Association to act over Mido abuse claims

The Football Association is investigating claims of racist chanting directed at Middlesbrough striker Mido by Newcastle supporters on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Egyptian was targeted as he warmed up during the 0-0 draw at the Riverside in a repeat of scenes in the same fixture last season.

An FA spokesman told BBC Sport: "We'll work with the clubs and potentially the police to identify those responsible.

"We would call for individuals found guilty to be banned."

But Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate does not believe Newcastle should be punished for the incident.

"We have to rise above it. If people want to shout those things it's a reflection on them," said Southgate.

"There's a danger that we go on a witch hunt. What do you do? Punish the club?

"They can't do anything about their travelling fans. It's an individual decision to sing what they want.

"I don't think that's fair. How can a club the size of Newcastle control individuals?

"It's a sensitive one and I understand the importance, but I don't want to put the pressure on an excellent club like Newcastle."

A spokesman for Newcastle added: "The club does not condone any sort of offensive chanting."

Alan Shearer 'rejects Newcastle role'

Alan Shearer has turned down an invite to be on the Newcastle United coaching staff, says manager Joe Kinnear.

A week ago the 61-year-old boss said the door was "always open" for the former skipper to make a return.

"[Shearer] said it was a very kind offer but wasn't ready for it yet, and I said,'That's fine'," Kinnear said.

Having just signed a contract extension himself, Kinnear added: "There's a possibility I might bring someone else in on the coaching front now."

Former Magpies legend Shearer has been continually linked with a return to the club and admitted in September he would like to be manager.

Kinnear said last week that he was unconcerned with speculation linking Shearer the the manager's job.

"I said he would be welcome to come in any time to give the place a lift and work with our strikers," he added about Shearer, who scored 206 goals in 404 appearances.

"It was very honourable of Alan. Speculation linking him with the job is never going to go away and we're both aware of that.

"I told him he's more than welcome here and there's not a problem, there's no aggravation between us."

Kinnear arrived at St James' Park as interim boss in September following Kevin Keegan's exit.

He will now stay for another six months as owner Mike Ashley continues to try to sell the club.

Newcastle 17-23 Wasps - Rugby Union

Wasps won the battle of the Premiership strugglers as Dave Walder landed six penalties to give the champions just their second league win of the season.

Newcastle took an early lead as Danny Williams went over for a fine try.

Rory Clegg converted and added a penalty but five Walder penalties gave Wasps a 15-10 half-time lead.

Tom May's excellent converted try put Newcastle back in front but Walder's sixth penalty and a try from Charlie Beech secured victory for Wasps.

The two sides went into the match 10th and 11th in the table and with just three league wins between them all season.

Wasps were without a host of big names because of international calls, while Newcastle had notable absentees of their own in the form of the injured Jonny Wilkinson and Carl Hayman.

Newcastle were out of the blocks the quicker and scored a sparkling try after just four minutes.

The hosts won quick ball off the top of a line-out, 18-year-old fly-half Clegg fired an excellent pass into midfield and Tane Tu'ipulotu made a classic outside break through the Wasps defence.

The Tongan-born centre spun out a long pass to the wing and former England rugby league player Williams raced over in the corner to open the scoring, with Clegg adding a fine conversion from near the touchline.

Walder then got Wasps on the board with a penalty and although Clegg immediately replied in kind for the hosts, Wasps took control.

They dominated territory and possession and although they struggled to create try-scoring chances, four more Walder penalties saw the visitors lead at the break.

It looked ominous for the Falcons but within four minutes of the restart they had retaken the lead.

Wasps blind-side flanker Dan Leo produced a thumping hand-off but then lost the ball in contact and Newcastle countered from their own 22.

Clegg's precise chip was gathered in by May and after Steve Jones and Brent Wilson had taken the move on, May was on hand to power over the line for a spectacular 80m score.

Clegg converted to give Newcastle a two-point lead before a worrying moment as Wasps prop Pat Barnard was stretchered off after a long delay while he was treated on the pitch.

He was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, although he was reported to be able to move his arms and legs.

Once the game restarted Wasps regained control but struggled to add to their points tally.

Walder pushed two drop-goal attempts wide but the visitors finally went back in front when Ed Williamson was penalised for a 67th-minute spear tackle.

Walder landed his sixth penalty and replacement Beech's try two minutes from time secured victory and lifted the visitors above Newcastle and Northampton into ninth.



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Wasps boss Ian McGeechan:
"A win is everything, we produced some very good forward play which is why the penalties came.

"It's been very difficult playing without 12 or 13 men (away on international duty or injured) and we can now press on when we get our England boys back next week."

Falcons boss Steve Bates:
"It was a very gutsy effort.

"We will have to look at the penalty count, you cannot afford to give 15 points away for indiscipline."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newcastle: Jones; D Williams, May, Tu'ipulotu, Rudd; Clegg, Grindal; Golding, Thompson, D Wilson, Parling, Sorenson, Williamson, B Wilson, Dowson.

Replacements: Visser for Rudd (63), Charlton for Grindal (68), Long for Thompson (51), Ward for D Wilson (63), Swinson for Parling (54).

Not Used: Perry, Davey.

Sin Bin: Williamson (68).

Wasps: Mitchell; Bishay, Lewsey, Van Gisbergen, Voyce; Walder, Reddan; French, Webber, Barnard, Skivington, Birkett, Leo, Betsen, Worsley, Staunton.

Replacements: Staunton for Voyce (67), Beech for Barnard (48), Ellis for Leo (54), Hart for Worsley (35), Hoadley for Staunton (78).

Not Used: Varley, Simpson.

Att: 5,489

Ref: Andrew Small (RFU).

Ryan Sidebottom doubt for India Tests

Nottinghamshire paceman Ryan Sidebottom will miss the remainder of England's one-day series with a side strain, and is a major doubt for the Test series.

Scans have revealed a tear to muscular tissue in his back, but he will remain in India in the hope that he recovers before the first Test on 11 December.

Sidebottom, 30, has barely bowled since featuring in the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston last August.

He played two of the four Tests in that series but has not been 100% fit since.

He has suffered from calf, Achilles and lower-back injuries, with his recurring back problem the main cause for concern.

Peter Moores's decision to pluck Sidebottom from the county circuit in his late 20s, rejecting the notion that he lacked the necessary pace to cut it at England level, reaped handsome dividends for around 12 months from the summer of 2007.

But cranking up his pace to the mid-80s so late in his career, in a manner that his body was not accustomed to, appears to have harmed his long-term fitness.

Moores, however, rejected the notion. He was quoted by The Guardian as saying: "Fast bowlers go through bad times. Andrew Flintoff had several operations and has come back.

"We also know it is tough playing international cricket and the schedule we have to go through, and they have to get used to that.

"Ryan is training very hard and, because of the benefits of that, he could come back stronger than ever before."

"It's been really tough for him. He is desperate to play. His body is saying, at the moment, that it doesn't want to play cricket."

Despite his injury-ravaged summer, Sidebottom was named in the squad for the Stanford Super Series in Antigua.

But he broke down after just two overs, and is yet to feature in any sort of match since England's arrival in India nearly three weeks ago.

"He's having a bit of an unlucky run," said his Nottinghamshire and England team-mate Graeme Swann.

"It's a bit like [Newcastle United footballer] Michael Owen back home - it's taken him so long to get back from a serious injury, and little niggles are keeping him out."

England could look to players from the Performance Programme squad, who are in Bangalore, for a possible replacement in the Test squad.

Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan, Lancashire's Sajid Mahmood and Durham's Liam Plunkett are waiting in the wings. Of those, Bresnan was easily the most impressive in county cricket last summer.

Top four Premiership teams fire blanks

The top four failed to muster a goal Saturday as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United drew 0-0 while Arsenal went down 3-0 at Manchester City.

Premier League leaders Chelsea could find no way through Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool had the same problem at home to Fulham and third-placed Manchester United were held 0-0 in a lively game at Aston Villa.

Troubled Arsenal's season went from bad to worse as they slid to fifth.

With captain William Gallas dropped for questioning the fighting spirit of his team mates, injury-hit Arsenal capitulated with Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge on target for City.

Arsenal are 10 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool who are locked together on 33 points from 14 matches although Chelsea have a superior goal difference. United are eight points behind with a game in hand while Villa rose to fourth.

Hull City twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at Middlesbrough while bottom club West Bromwich Albion lost 1-0 at Stoke City.

Chelsea were frustrated by a gritty Newcastle performance. The leaders have now drawn three times at Stamford Bridge this season and also lost at home to Liverpool.

"Who won today? Newcastle because they came here to draw. The players tried but it is not the day for us," Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari told the BBC.

Liverpool to miss Gerrard

Liverpool will go into Saturday’s Premier League match against Fulham without captain Steven Gerrard who has failed to recover from a torn groin muscle that kept him out of England’s 2-1 victory at Germany on Wednesday.

Chelsea will also be without striker Didier Drogba who starts a three-match ban. Frank Lampard, who also did not play against Germany because of a rib injury, is set to play Saturday’s match against Newcastle.

Arsene Wenger has problems as Arsenal try to revive their title challenge at Manchester City.

Defender Kolo Toure is ruled out with a calf injury while Theo Walcott is sidelined for three months because of surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

Premier League talent line from Arsenal to Wigan Athletic

Guide to the Premier League academies

Arsenal

Opened in 1998, the Arsenal Academy is now in its 11th season, having been one of the first tier of English clubs to gain academy status.
Star pupil: David Bentley.

Aston Villa

Established in 1997, it replaced the former Centre of Excellence system in an attempt to introduce a more organised approach to youth development.
Star pupil: Gareth Barry.

Blackburn Rovers

Rovers are reviewing their academy in an attempt to develop a greater number of successful senior squad members at Ewood.
Star pupil: Matt Derbyshire.

Bolton Wanderers

The club replaced the older, more informal youth system in 1998.
Star pupil: Kevin Nolan.

Chelsea

The mission statement is "to produce home-grown professional footballers capable of competing with Europe's elite players with long-term loyalty to the club."
Star pupil: John Terry.

Everton

Academy has more than 20 full-time staff.Players from age six to 16 are coached three times a week.
Star pupil: Wayne Rooney.

Fulham

The Fulham Academy takes on players as young as nine years old.
Star pupil: Sean Davis.

Liverpool

Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Jamie Carragher all trained at the state-of-the-art Youth Academy, opened in Kirkby in 1998. It has enabled the club to employ new techniques and FA standards.
Star pupil: Steven Gerrard.

Manchester City

The Academy was set up in 1998. By the end of last season no fewer than 26 players had passed through the Platt Lane gates and into the first team.
Star pupil: Micah Richards.

Manchester United

Academy players won the Champions Youth Cup last year. Recent alumni include Frazier Campbell and Johnny Evans.
Star pupil: Ryan Giggs.

Middlesbrough

One of the most productive academies in the country. Since 2003, Boro have produced the most graduates of all the academies to play in at least five first-team games a season. Star pupil: Stewart Downing

Newcastle United

Newly appointed director Richard Money presides over the Newcastle academy.
Star pupil: Stephen Taylor.

Portsmouth

The club were granted academy status at
the beginning of last season. Finished fourth in the Premier League Academy Group A last year.
Star pupil: Darren Anderton.

Stoke City

This academy, which costs £500,000 per year to run, trains more than 150 young players.
Star pupil: Martin Paterson.

Sunderland

The 'Academy of Light' cost over £10 million to build, and was the subject of protests from local residents angered at such a development on a green belt.
Star pupil: Martyn Waghorn.

Tottenham Hotspur

The Spurs academy coaches footballers from age eight to 18. The operation involves approximately 30 full-time and part-time staff.
Star pupil: Ledley King.

West Bromwich Albion

Run by former Manchester United midfielder Michael Appleton, the academy's home games are normally played at Albion's Great Barr Training Ground.

West Ham United
West Ham's academy has been highly successful in producing a number of players who have gone on to play at international level, including Frank Lampard.
Star pupil: Joe Cole.

Premier League clubs without academies:

Hull City (Centre of Excellence status) and Wigan Athletic (Centre of Excellence status).

Joe Kinnear apologises for 'Mickey Mouse' comment in reaction to Newcastle's defeat

The interim Newcastle manager was contrition personified just days after hitting out at the Yorkshire referee in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat and he could be punished by the Football Association for his post-match comments despite his apology.

"I am sorry if my post-match comments at Fulham caused any offence and I will ring Martin Atkinson in person to tell him," Kinnear said.

"I have accepted that some of my comments at Craven Cottage on Sunday were inappropriate and I will be calling Martin Atkinson to say that."

Kinnear, 61, added: "When I spoke to the media on Sunday I was deeply frustrated about losing a game I felt we were in a strong position to win.

"I said at the time I had no complaints about the foul by Fabricio Coloccini on Andy Johnson which brought Fulham their match-winning penalty.

"But I have watched the build-up to that goal and I felt we should have been awarded a free kick seconds earlier for a foul by Andy Johnson on Claudio Cacapa."

The FA have written to Kinnear for his version of events and will decide whether or not to punish the former Wimbledon manager when they have digested his views next week.

Kinnear is no stranger to brushes with the football authorities and began his reign as Newcastle manager with a two-match touchline ban hanging over him from his days as Nottingham Forest manager when he called a referee 'Coco the Clown'.

He has also been warned about his future conduct by the FA following his foul-mouthed rant at journalists in a press conference at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground.

The defeat at Fulham left Newcastle third-bottom of the Premier League and Kinnear has described Saturday's visit of fellow strugglers Wigan as a " six-pointer".