The Frenchman will play in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev but has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after last week’s infamous attack on his team-mates.

Wenger left the defender in the capital for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City at the weekend; an act that only fuelled speculation there could be a parting of ways before the end of the season.

Gallas has in the past intimated a desire to finish his career back in his homeland, which has led to inevitable speculation over a move back to France.

However, his agent Etienne Mendy has dismissed reports of an exit, via an outspoken appraisal of how the English media have treated his client.

“William doesn’t talk and the English media takes advantage of it,” Mendy told Aujourd’hui Sport.

“Since his bad mood gesture against Birmingham last year they have imagined his departure from Arsenal.

“It is fake. He has taken the critics and has already turned the page. Anyway, William is never better than with his back to the wall.”

The Magpies head into Monday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City sitting second bottom of the table and reeling from a traumatic start to the new season.

Kevin Keegan quit the club last month after alleging boardroom meddling in his transfer activity, while owner Mike Ashley is seeking a way out of St James’ Park due to the backlash from the former United boss’s departure.

Joe Kinnear has been brought in as temporary manager while the club’s future is resolved, but Robson, Newcastle manager from 1999 to 2004, believes former striker Shearer would be an ideal choice to lead Newcastle out of the doldrums.

“Alan might not have any experience, but he knows what the club is all about, he knows the supporters, he knows how they feel and he’d be dedicated to it,” Robson told The Sun.

“Alan will make a good manager. He has got clout. He had that in the dressing room as a player, he loved the club. He wanted training and everything around the club right.

“The one thing he hasn’t got is experience and to run a club like Newcastle you’d need an experienced man.

“So if Alan came in, he’d need someone else to coach for him or be a good liaison with him.

“What Newcastle need is a top manager and without that they won’t succeed.”

Zaki has taken the Premier League by storm this season with seven goals in his first eight games making him the top-scorer in England’s top-flight.

He highlighted his form with a brilliant brace at Liverpool, which included a stunning acrobatic volley in front of The Kop.

Wigan signed the forward on loan from El Zamalek in the summer and claim they have first refusal on a permanent deal.

However in recent days Zamalek have insisted they will sell the player to whichever club they want, and Manchester City are already thought to have made contact via their new Abu Dhabi-based owners.

“We will have the right to sell Zaki to any club,” Zamalek president Mamdouh Abbas stated.

But Benitez, who looks set to be in the market for a new frontman come January, has intriguingly admitted he will also be taking a close look at Zaki after his outstanding display against the Spaniard’s side on Saturday.

“Everybody will be checking his situation now,” Benitez admitted.

Spurs have just two points from eight games and are bottom of the Barclays Premier League table – their worst-ever start to a league campaign – and Woodgate believes the players should take the responsibility.

The England defender said: “He is still the manager and hopefully he will continue to be.

“We will stick by the manager no matter what. We’ve played well at times, but this season we haven’t cut it. The buck stops with the players.

“We’re bottom of the Premiership and it’s not nice at all. We’re hurting inside but we have to stand up and get ourselves out of this mess that we’ve got ourselves into.”

A newly-formed fans’ group have planned a mass protest for Tottenham’s next home game against Bolton on Sunday, calling on chairman Daniel Levy to resign.

Ramos himself admitted Tottenham’s situation was “terrible” after Stoke’s 2-1 win on Sunday condemned his side to their sixth defeat in eight games.

To make matters worse, Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson will be suspended after picking up red cards.

Ramos said: “I am worried about the situation. At the moment it is terrible.

“Last season we won the Carling Cup and everyone was very happy.

“At this moment everyone is very sad and I am worried about it as I don’t like this situation.

“We need to work very hard to change this situation and only hard work can change it.

“This is my job and I am working very hard each day to finish this situation.

“The responsibility is all the people working in the club starting with me and finishing with the last person – we all have responsibility, when we win and when we lose.”

Asked if he planned to meet the Levy and whether he was confident he had the chairman’s backing, he added: “I don’t know – this is a question for the chairman. I speak to the chairman when he permits us to speak. He’s a very busy person and I don’t know when it will be possible to speak.”

Meanwhile, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes the club’s policy of having a director of football is causing a problem.

He told Sky Sports: “Directors of football don’t work in this country. They need to rethink it.

“They had David Pleat when I was at Tottenham and all you get is people undermining the manager.

“Unless the manager and the director of football are close then it won’t work.

“If he is asking for players and getting ones in different positions that is never going to work in this country.”

The 34-year-old, who was released by Sheffield United last summer and was hoping to earn a contract at Walsall, has been forced to retire as a result and will undergo surgery next week.

Horsfield told the Daily Mirror: “I found a small lump in my left testicle and went to see the doctor at West Brom, who’s a good friend of mine.

“I was diagnosed last Friday and I’m going in for surgery next Thursday. The surgeon has told me that this is the end of my professional career, which is disappointing.

“But I’ve had 10 good years with Fulham, Birmingham, Wigan, West Brom and all the other clubs I’ve played for and enjoyed it.

“That’s at the back of my mind now. It’s just one of those things and I’ve come to terms with my career being over.

“All I’m thinking about now is beating this. I’ve always been a fighter right through my football career and I’m going to fight this and win.”

Horsfield has been told he has a good chance of recovery after the diagnosis was made early.

He added: “The specialist told me I did well to find the lump because it is so small,” he said. “He says I stand a good chance of making a full recovery because we’ve got in early.”

George Burley’s men head into the World Cup qualifier hoping to claim another three points after bouncing back from defeat in their opening match in Macedonia with a win in Iceland.

As the home nation, the Scots will be favourites but Riise insists the clash at Hampden is one the Vikings are relishing.

“The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable,” he said.

“I’ve told a few of the boys that we have to come here and enjoy it because there aren’t many times in your career you can play in front of these kind of fans.

“But we know it’s going to be difficult. Scotland are a very good team at home and we know we will have to be at our best to get a result.”

Riise was part of the Norway side who earned a win against Scotland at the same venue four years ago but insists past triumphs will count for nothing come Saturday.

“What I remember from 2004 was the fantastic atmosphere and that it was great to get the three points,” he added.

“But this is a different game and we know that. Scotland are strong and we are strong so I hope that both teams play a good game and get the crowd behind their teams.”

Riise does not believe the outcome of this game will necessarily have a major bearing on either nation’s qualification hopes, despite Norway and Scotland being tipped as the main contenders for the coveted runners-up spot, with Holland expected to win the group.

He said: “It’s an important game for both teams and whoever wins this game is going to have the advantage for second place. But I think there is still everything to play for in this group.”

Those views were echoed by Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Blackburn man is determined to defy the odds with an away win ahead of their midweek clash with the Dutch.

“You always have a better chance of qualifying if you are winning and you get three points,” he said.

“But never say never. You just have to see what the table looks like at the end. We’re not here to lose, we will work hard.

“Scotland are big favourites, they are at home and they have 55,000 people supporting them.

“They did well in the last qualifying campaign against big nations like France and Italy so they will be favourites. But we will be ready for the game.

“It’s not always about one player. They work hard as a team. (James) McFadden is a great player and maybe (Darren) Fletcher will do well but you never know.

“If you work hard and play well as a team you have a better chance to win.”

The province have taken one point from two games going into the back-to-back matches in Slovenia on Saturday and at home to San Marino on Wednesday.

McCartney wants the side to build on the draw with the Czech Republic following the opening-day defeat by Slovakia.

Northern Ireland have won only two out of 30 games on the road and he said: “We have got to be looking at getting four points from the next two matches.

“That would enable us to push up the group and put pressure on the top teams.

“We have got to start getting results in places like Slovenia. It was a tight game against Slovakia and we had a couple of chances.

“However, lapses of concentration in the second half cost us and our away form is a problem. We just need that bit of luck in important matches.”

McCartney has complete faith in his Sunderland team-mate David Healy breaking his duck in the campaign, sooner rather than later.

Healy is waiting to get off the mark after scoring a record 13 goals in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

McCartney said: “I do not think David has anything to prove. His scoring record speaks for itself.

“He is probably disappointed at not getting in the team at Sunderland and itching to get on the pitch and play some minutes.

“But all the lads here know they could do with chipping in to help him when it comes getting goals.”

For his part, McCartney is delighted to be back at the Stadium of Light following two years at West Ham.

He is also glad to be back in good health after regaining the stone in weight he lost during a debilitating bout of pneumonia.

McCartney added: “The club has attracted a lot of big names and I am sure there are good times ahead.

“I am glad to be back. We have a marvellous fan base and a great stadium in which to play your football.”

Meanwhile, manager Nigel Worthington will decide whether to include Manchester United defender Jonny Evans in a training session on Friday after he was struck down by a virus earlier in the week.

Wolves striker Vokes, 18, is expected to be handed the chance to forge a lasting relationship in John Toshack’s attack by starting alongside the West Ham forward against Liechtenstein at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

And Vokes is looking forward to linking up with the fit-again Bellamy, even though he readily admits he will be the junior partner.

Vokes said: “I suppose it will be a bit like pupil and teacher. To get the chance to play alongside someone with so much experience can only benefit me.

“I have watched Craig on TV lots of times and will relish the chance to play alongside him.

“We were on the pitch together for a brief spell when I was substitute against Holland last season, but this will be the first time I will have had the chance to start a match as his partner.”

Vokes continued: “I have enjoyed training with him this week, which is a great help for me. It has been good to have him around the place again, and his help is appreciated.

“He has looked sharp and hopefully he can do well for us in these next two games.

“Craig is a massively important player for Wales, and his experience is especially important for the younger boys in the squad, like me.

“It is great to have him around us, you learn so much by just watching how a senior player trains and prepares.

“And for me on the pitch, he is ideal to play alongside. I am tall and physical and he has the pace around me.

“That type of combination has worked in the past and given the chance together we can do it.”

If selected, Vokes will play his fifth full international against Liechtenstein after making a big impact on debut with the late winner against Azerbaijan as a second-half substitute.

He then led the attack for the first time in his full debut against Russia in Moscow four days later.

But despite that, he acknowledges there is plenty of competition for places in Toshack’s squad.

“There is a lot of competition now with Craig coming back into the squad. We also have Ched Evans and Freddy Eastwood as well when he is fit. It shows that we need to fight for places.”

Heskey proved the perfect foil for the currently out of favour Michael Owen when the pair were reunited for last season’s Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia at Wembley.

And the signs were encouraging when the 30-year-old played alongside Rooney in England’s stunning 4-1 win over Croatia in Zagreb last month.

Heskey, who has recovered from a back problem which had hindered his training, said: “You never know until you actually play with someone what the partnership is going to be like but Wayne is a fantastic player.

“He’s shown that over the years but it’s only when you start playing with someone that you get a little understanding, knowing where he’s going to run, where you need to be.

“You kind of build your game around your partner.

“I am hoping I am helping to get the best out of him. He’s a fantastic talent so I hope I am getting the best out of him.”

Heskey admitted: “It was different to the partnership with Michael in the sense that I’d played with him right from England Under-18s and Under-21s whereas with Wayne it was a new thing.

“You never know how it’s going to pan out but Wayne is such an intelligent player and it’s worked out quite well.”

Heskey has earned a recall after impressing for Wigan and Fabio Capello has made it clear that reputations count for nothing when he comes to selecting his side.

He said: “Mr Capello is a very strong manager. Names don’t really mean much to him.

“He will say ‘this player might not be suited for this game, this person will do a better job than this person, he’s got to step down’.

“He doesn’t mind that. It’s all about form rather than reputation with him.”

Heskey is keen to improve on his goalscoring record for his country even though a sizeable chunk of his caps were earned away from a pivotal striking role, particularly under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

He said: “I’m asked if my goalscoring record is misjudged because of what else I contribute but I don’t see it that way because I’m a striker.

“Yes, I did play on the left a few times in Sven’s reign and in club football I’ve moved around a bit from left, right and middle but strikers are judged on their goals.

“I would like to make my record a lot better. I’ve never really been a prolific scorer but I always want to improve on that.”

Torres, who enjoyed a fantastic debut season at Anfield last term scoring 33 goals in all competitions, had a slow start to this term by his own high expectations, scoring only once in the club’s opening five Premier League games.

The 24-year-old has shown he is almost back to his brilliant best with a brace in each of his side’s last two games at Everton and Manchester City and says there is more to come.

Torres believes he has been playing catch-up due to Spain’s involvement at Euro 2008 where he helped them win the tournament with the only goal against Germany in the final.

“Me and the other players from the Euros started back in pre-season later than everyone else, and as a result weren’t in the best physical shape,” said Torres.

“Last year was very long for me. I played nearly 50 games with Liverpool and then went straight to the Euros. But I’m getting better each day and I’ll soon be 100 per cent again.”

Torres is also hoping to build on his success with Spain by helping Liverpool win some silverware this season.

He added: “It was a great experience and the first big honour I’ve won. Now I know how it feels to win something like that, it makes me even hungrier to win trophies with Liverpool.

“I came here for that reason and hope this season will be better than last year.

“I believe we can win the Premier League or the Champions League. If we did that, it would be fantastic. We have started well, so there is optimism.

“But I’d be happy with just 20 goals if we won the Premier League or Champions League.”

Torres also revealed he dreams of scoring against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final.

The former Atletico Madrid man has yet to find the net against Liverpool’s biggest rivals and he knows scoring against them would further endear him to the Anfield faithful.

Torres missed Liverpool’s win over United last month and he is determined to get one over on the Old Trafford outfit.

“Every player wants to score against their biggest rivals. It matters so much to the fans and I know it would mean even more to ours if I scored against Manchester United,” he said.

“Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance this season. But I’m hoping I’ll have an opportunity to do so at Old Trafford after Christmas, or maybe in the cup – or best of all the Champions League final.

“It was a little unusual for me watching the recent game against United but we won, and the most important thing was the fact we proved how strong the squad is.”