LuaLua snubs semi-final chance

LuaLua's decision contrasts sharply to that of defender Steven Caldwell, who was greeted by his Newcastle team-mates for the first time in three months after he ended his loan spell with relegated Leeds United.

The Scotland international, who is expected to join Sunderland in the close season, is in line for a place on the bench tonight before a full recall for Wolves' visit to St James' Park on Sunday.

'Sir Bobby phoned me on Tuesday night and it was a shock,' said Caldwell. 'It was a rush to return to Newcastle but I'm delighted to be back. I'm very sad for what happened to Leeds. They are a great club, but I wouldn't have believed it if you had told me two months ago that I'd have a chance of playing in a European final when I was embroiled in a relegation battle.

'This is make or break time in the season and it could be a tremendous end. I'm just looking forward to showing what I can do.' Newcastle captain Alan Shearer was the most vocal dressing-room critic of the Newcastle side following their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday but he has since made a more positive assessment of the remainder of the season.

As Newcastle eye their first major European final in 35 years and try to clinch Champions League football with fourth place in the Premiership, Shearer knows this team are on the verge of history.

'What's in front of us is huge,' he said. 'We now have a great chance to win a trophy. We can make this season a truly great one, but we're aware that it could be a huge letdown. There can't be any middle ground. It's either great or nothing.

'The next 10 days could be the most important of my time at Newcastle. Saturday was very disappointing but that's over now. There were one or two harsh words spoken afterwards, but there are when things don't go right. It's going to be tough here at Marseille. I thought 0-0 was a great result in the first leg and I think we can get a result, but it will be very difficult. You don't go into a semifinal looking for damagelimitation. We'll try to win.'

Lee Bowyer has missed the last 13 of Newcastle's European games but returns to a squad looking to maintain an unbeaten run of five games in France.

Marseille remain confident of reaching the final in Gothenburg on Wednesday, May 19.

Striker Didier Drogba, who was watched by Fulham and Middlesbrough during his impressive performance at Newcastle, said: 'That game was one of our most difficult this year, but we were solid. This match will be difficult, which is why we need the stadium to be hot. We know what we need to do and we will need the Velodrome crowd to get behind us because there is a final waiting as the prize.

'I know Woodgate is missing but when I feel good I don't care who I'm up against. I know I'm going to get chances.'