Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson paid tribute to his 'old timers' after Alan Shearer and Gary Speed helped his side into the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

Former England captain Shearer and Welshman Speed both scored in a 2-1 quarter-final second-leg victory over PSV Eindhoven - and set up a last-four battle against French club Marseille.

Robson, 71, said: "Not bad for two old timers. Three if you include me! This is one of my biggest wins as Newcastle manager and it is fantastic to be through to the semi-finals. We are all trying to get to the Final, it would be wonderful." (Daily Mirror)

Three Lions midfielder Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool can still win a Champions League place.

The England and Liverpool star, who captained his country in Sweden recently, said: "I know we wouldn't have a medal for it but it would be fantastic to finish fourth. It's the be-all and end-all as far as I'm concerned.

"Everyone wants it at the club, from the chairman downwards. I'm as determined as anyone to end the season on a high." (The Sun)

England Under-21 star Jemaine Pennant believes he can still make it at Arsenal after an impressive season on loan at Leeds.

Pennant will be back at Highbury on Friday when Leeds play Arsenal in a crucial FA Barclaycard Premiership fixture. And he means to show Arsene Wenger just how much he has improved.

"If I do well in front of the Arsenal fans and the manager, that can only be good for me in the long run," he said. "I've never stopped believing that one day I will be part of things at Arsenal. I want to be part of what is happening at Arsenal and I'm determined to make it happen." (Daily Mirror)

Claudio Ranieri's future at Chelsea is still not certain, despite talks with the club's chief executive Peter Kenyon about his future yesterday.

Ranieri is hoping to earn a new contract at Stamford Bridge after guiding the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League, but no deal has been struck so far. (Daily Mail)

Footballers are to lose the right to draw their pension at the age of 35. Until now, sportsmen have been given special status because of their short careers and allowed to take their pension early. But Chancellor Gordon Brown has announced that from now on nobody will be allowed to draw on their pension before the age of 55.

Players who turn 35 between 6 April 2006, and 5 April 2010, will be exempt from the new ruling. But everyone else - and that includes England captain David Beckham - will have to wait for their pensions. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea have offered England captain David Beckham a chance to return to England in the future - according to the Daily Express.

The paper claims on its back page that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich held a meeting with Beckham in February, and told him he could choose the time of his move. But the story has not been confirmed by either Chelsea or Real Madrid - who have always insisted Beckham is staying put. (Daily Express)