With Gallas and Cesc Fabregas missing against Porto, right-back Bacary Sagna believes the performance against the Portuguese champions proves Arsenal do not rely on their high-profile players. "We are a team first," said Sagna after the 5-0 Champions League win. "It's not about one player, even though Cesc is very talented. We showed that everyone can play. Of course, Cesc is welcome in the team, he's the captain, which means a lot, and he's a very good player. But we're approximately 25 players at Arsenal, so we play as a team."

 Martin O'Neill is hopeful Gabby Agbonlahor will have recovered from a virus in time for Saturday's trip to Stoke City. The striker missed the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Reading last weekend after picking up the virus before the match at the Madejski Stadium. He also sat out of training on Monday, although the manager hopes Agbonlahor will have shaken off the illness ahead of the Midlands derby encounter. O'Neill said: "He was pretty ill on Sunday. That was a real disappointment but fate sometimes is in other people's hands. As it turns out, it was in John Carew's feet! Gabby missed training again on Monday but we are hoping it is just one of those 48 to 72 hour viruses. One of the physiotherapists, Stuart Walker, went down with something similar so I am hoping this isn't going to be spreading around the team for the weekend but we will see how it goes."

 Alex McLeish believes his side lacks the firepower needed to secure European football for next season. Blues' victory over Pompey this week lifts them up to eighth in the standings, with sixth or seventh spot likely to earn them a Europa League berth. Despite an impressive display up front from Jerome and Christian Benitez, who made both his partner's goals, McLeish is not convinced his men will find the goals needed to secure seventh. Asked whether it was a realistic target, the Scot said: "I don't think so - I don't think it's realistic. To get places in Europe, you need a striker scoring 15, 16 goals. We'll always be under pressure to get that spot because our strikers won't, unless they go on an unbelievable scoring burst. You'll perennially see that the teams who get there have a striker who is up 16 or 17 goals and another one not too far behind."

 Former Rovers hero, David Speedie will be the next former player to star in an Question & Answer session at Blues on Thursday 18th March. David Speedie - who joined Rovers in a £500,000 deal from Liverpool - played a massive part in securing promotion to the Premier League in the 91/92 season, including scoring a hattrick on the final day of the season, and playing an influential role in the Wembley win over Leicester City. The event will be hosted by Radio Lancashire's Andy Bayes and fans will get the opportunity to pose questions and have photos taken with the prolific former Rovers striker. There will also be a quiz and a raffle draw on the night. The event starts from 7.30pm. Tickets are only £5 and included in the price is a free pint and pie - courtesy of Thwaites and Hollands Pies - with every ticket bought in advance. Call 0871 222 1444 or visit www.onerovers.co.uk to reserve your place.

 Owen Coyle accepted that a poor start cost his men as they lost 4-0 at Sunderland. Fraizer Campbell put the home side ahead after just 44 seconds, with Darren Bent then netting a treble to end Bolton's recent good run. Coyle said: "We came in good form and looking to win a game, and when you concede a goal within 44 seconds, then it gives you a bit to do to get back into the game. Having said that, I thought the first half was even - Sunderland were dangerous on the counter-attack if we gave away cheap possession, but at the start of the second half, we were the team in the ascendancy. We maybe could have worked Craig Gordon a little bit harder given the possession in the dangerous areas we were in, and ultimately, we paid a heavy price."

 Brian Laws is pleased to have midfielder Graham Alexander and striker Martin Paterson back after injury. Laws believes Alexander, 38, and Paterson 22, bring different, enduring qualities to the team. "Paterson is an enthusiastic player. He is a lad who would chase an empty crisp packet on a windy day," said the Burnley manager. "He has that enthusiasm which spreads to everyone. No matter what position he plays in, he gives that impression he would go through a brick wall for you. From a manager's point of view that is fantastic. Alexander has the experience and know-how. He is not going to chase the empty crisp packet because he cannot. But he senses danger and you cannot put a price on that."

 Franck Ribery has confirmed that Chelsea are competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona for his signature. However, the French superstar says that he is not definitely going to be leaving Bayern Munich this summer. The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Allianz Arena next year and Bayern are looking for him to sign an extension. Ribery has now confirmed that his future is likely to be resolved by the end of this month. "When will I decide my future? In two or three weeks," he said. "I am not 100 per cent sure I am going to go to Real Madrid. Barca is also attracted, and there is Chelsea. But that doesn't necessarily mean I will leave Bayern."

 Phil Jagielka has thanked his team-mates for making his full return to action so comfortable. The England international played his first 90 minutes since returning from a 10-month lay-off for a serious knee injury in Sunday's 5-1 Barclays Premier League win over Hull City. "It is fantastic to get back playing at Goodison," the 27-year-old said. "It's nice to get that buzz back, from going out for the warm-up. It's something I had been looking forward to. It was a decent performance but when the boys play like that in front and to the side of you, it makes it a lot easier."

 Fulham will be without captain Danny Murphy for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Serie A giants Juventus in Turin. The Cottagers' captain was sent off in the previous round against Shakhtar Donetsk and misses out along with Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka, who are both cup-tied. Paul Konchesky could replace Shorey at left-back if he recovers from an ankle injury but Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (all knee) remain sidelined.

 Richard Garcia is optimistic Hull City can match their rivals over the closing stages of the season and secure a third successive season of top-flight football. He said: "It's about playing the best that you can and going for that win. We're all conscious of the fact there's only a couple of months to go so we know what we have to do and we'll try and start that on Sunday. As long as you're not in the bottom three come 9th May, that's the most important thing. The boys are high spirited and we're all confident we can complete the task in hand."

 Rafael Benitez has told his players to tackle their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie against Lille as if it was their "most important game of the season". Considering the state of the current campaign, the Spaniard's comments have more than a ring of truth to them. After Monday's performance in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan - described by Benitez as "a blip" - the Reds' hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League have diminished considerably. As a result the Europa League - a consolation prize for an early exit from this season's Champions League - represents the club's only realistic chance of success. "You cannot change things but we have an opportunity now in the Europa League and must try to do our best," Benitez said. "A game right now will be a chance for the players to show their character. The last 10 games we have been all right. We had character, everyone was working hard, helping each other and working together. It was a surprise and hopefully this result is just a blip and we will see the real Liverpool on Thursday."

 Roberto Mancini has called on his Manchester City players to maintain their recent high standards if they want to claim a top-four place. Although over two weeks will have passed since City's amazing 4-2 win at Chelsea when they tackle Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, memories of that triumph in the Blue camp are still fresh. With Liverpool losing at Wigan Athletic on Monday, suddenly the Blues are favourites to leapfrog Tottenham Hotpsur and clinch the fourth Champions League berth. But, having bounced back to form in such remarkable fashion following a run of just one win in six matches, Mancini knows it is imperative City continue their momentum. "If we can play like Chelsea then we have a good chance," said the Italian. "It is important that we continue to perform very well. I have all the players, so if we work well and prepare well, I think we have a good chance."

  Darren Fletcher cites Wayne Rooney as the perfect example of practice making perfect. The 30-goal frontman has been in outstanding form this term, relishing the responsibility that came with Sir Alex Ferguson responding to Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record departure for Real Madrid by installing him as his number one striker. Yet, as Fletcher can testify, the astonishing development has not come without a huge amount of hard work which now, by common consent, sees Rooney installed as one of the world's best players. "People are seeing the rewards of the hard work he has put in on the training ground," said the Scotland skipper. "It has been noted how many headed goals he has been scoring. But that comes from practice. He has risen to the challenge of being the goalscorer and his performances have improved. Wayne has matured and improved as a player. He has got stronger as the season has gone on and his confidence is growing. Really, he does believe he is up there with the best players in the world and his form is showing that."

 The Football Association have confirmed the kick-off times and dates for next month's FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. The ties had already been set for the weekend of 10th/11th April, but the FA have now revealed when the ties will be played. Chelsea's tie with Aston Villa is the first semi and will take place on Saturday, 10th April at 1700 GMT. The weekend's other tie sees Portsmouth face Tottenham or Fulham - who will replay their quarter-final on 24th March following their goalless draw at Craven Cottage - with that match taking place at 1600 GMT on Sunday 11th April. 

 Stoke do not look in danger of going down but manager Tony Pulis is refusing to take anything for granted. He said: "It's very important that we get the points on the board now to secure our place in this league for another season, and we get them as quickly as possible. People are saying that we are safe, but I won't be happy until we have got to that 40-point mark. It can change so quickly and we have a tough run-in to the end of the season when you consider that our last three matches are Chelsea away, Everton at home and then Manchester United away."

 Darren Bent has revealed a dressing-room visit by owner Ellis Short helped galvanise the Black Cats for Tuesday night's demolition of Bolton. Bent plundered his first hat-trick for the club as they ran out 4-0 winners to end their 14-match wait for a Barclays Premier League victory and lift themselves six points clear of the relegation zone. It was achieved with Short watching from the stands, after he had bumped into manager Steve Bruce on the pitch beforehand and then visited the players to pass on his best wishes ahead. Bent said: "He came into the changing room before the game and said, 'Hi, I'm Ellis Short', and I think a few of the players were cringing and thinking, 'Crikey, we had better do something tonight'. But everyone went out there and produced really, really well from back to front. We played as a team, played like we were playing at the start of the season and we got our rewards. A lot of people had said, 'Imagine if you lose or if you don't get the right result', but to be fair, none of the players in the changing room were thinking negatively. We were just thinking about going forward and getting the job done, and luckily enough, we did."

 Wilson Palacios said he would one day like to play for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Spells at Birmingham and Wigan allowed him to forge a reputation as one the finest exponents of the holding role in European football. Such progress earned him a £12m switch to Spurs in January 2009, and he has continued to shine at White Hart Lane. The 25-year-old, who is heading to this summer's World Cup with Honduras, admits he would relish the opportunity to test himself in Spain at some point in his career, preferably with capital giants Real. "I am really happy at Tottenham but I will continue working for a future move to a bigger club," Palacios said. "I would love to play for Real Madrid. Today, many people respect me in England. That's because of my hard-working attitude." 

 Fabio Daprela is eyeing a first-team appearance at Chelsea on Saturday after leading West Ham United in their friendly defeat by MLS side San Jose Earthquakes. The highly-rated Switzerland Under-19 left-back has worn the armband for Alex Dyer's reserves in recent weeks and is eager to take those leadership qualities into Gianfranco Zola's first team. Zola and first-team coaches Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen were among those watching Monday's meeting with the Earthquakes, and the 19-year-old will be hoping to have done enough to be given an opportunity to make his Barclays Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge. "San Jose were a very good team and played very good football. We wanted to play football but it was very difficult and we saw the result. We lost, but I think we lost to a good team. I'm enjoying being captain of the team, but we lost and it's hard. It's a dream when I can play at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, but we don't know if that will happen. On Saturday, we will see what the manager does. I'm always ready when the manager wants me to play and I'm happy."

 Roberto Martinez admits he did not think Monday night's win over Liverpool was unexpected considering the scrutiny Rafa Benitez's side are under. "I wouldn't say it was a surprise they struggled," he said. "When you put that extra pressure on Liverpool, everyone wants to beat them and with their style people can work tactically against that. You always get good and bad performances but I think the Premier League is extremely exciting this season: three teams competing for the title, four teams for fourth place and eight teams to avoid relegation."

 Mick McCarthy has conceded they are likely to lose Kevin Doyle if they suffer relegation. Doyle has been one of Wolves' shining lights in a difficult season back in the top flight following his arrival from Reading. Wolves beat a number of other clubs to Doyle's signature last summer and McCarthy admits they will have no chance of keeping the Republic of Ireland international at Molineux if they go down. "If we go down, we have no chance of holding on to him," McCarthy said. "If we stay up, we might still have a problem because there will be a few interested. We have seen all the teams now and I've not noticed many better players than him. I'm not doing a selling job saying that because I'm not telling other managers anything they don't know. He would not be out of place in the company of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea."