The 24-year-old former Leeds defender has been in stunning form of late, playing a vital role in the Magpies' surge up the table and run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

He also started England's last game against Sweden, confirming his emergence as one of Sven's key defensive options, along with Sol Campbell, John Terry and Gareth Southgate.

Sven was concerned to see Woodgate limp off with a thigh muscle injury 16 minutes from the end of Sunday's entertaining match between Newcastle and Chelsea at St. James' Park.

"If he is not available, it would be a big blow," Sven told us, back at his Soho Square desk having watched Arsenal clinch the league at Tottenham yesterday.  

"We are waiting for further news from Newcastle. He has played very well recently and I hope he can still be available but I am not sure at the moment."

************
More of today's top stories

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged his side to cut their championship celebrations short and concentrate on ending the season unbeaten.

Wenger's men clinched the title with four games to spare after picking up the point they needed in the2-2 draw at Tottenham.

But the Frenchman, who has now been at the helm at Highbury for seven years, has set his sights on creating history by becoming the first side to go a whole 38-game League season without defeat.

He said: "I believe now we have to keep our humility, work hard, keep going and try to go the whole season unbeaten. I don't want us to switch off. We have to keep it going." (Daily Mail)

************

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has blamed his side's poor Premiership form on a lack of luck.

Ranieri's side lost 2-1 at Newcastle to extend their bad run to just two points from their last four league games.

Chelsea remain just one point ahead of Manchester United in the race to finish runners-up to champions Arsenal, but Ranieri is refusing to panic.

He said: "That's the way our luck is going. You can't do anything without luck. We have hit the post three times in the last three matches." (The Sun)

************

Thierry Henry praised his Arsenal teammates after becoming the first player to be named PFA Player of the Year in successive seasons.

Henry has scored 29 goals in 33 appearances this season to help Arsenal clinch their third Premiership title in six years.

But Henry said: "We play as a team and we are willing to fight for each other, and you need that ability.

"It is like we are a family, willing to do things together and fight for it." (Daily Mirror)

************

Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker is aiming on winning more silverware this season after being named the PFAYoung Player of the Year.

Parker beat among others fellow Chelsea and England teammates John Terry and Glen Johnson to lift the award.

The 23-year-old joined Chelsea for £10m from Charlton in January and is delighted at how his season has gone.

He said: "Settling in at Chelsea was always going to take a bit of time, but I am happy with the way things are going.

"This award is very pleasing for me, though there are a couple of things that could still go my way in the summer such as the Champions League and the European Championships." (The Sun)