Michael Owen scores against Leeds in the Carling Cup last September

HODDLE A REALISTIC ALTERNATIVE TO REDKNAPP, SAYS SHEARER

The Glenn Hoddle for England bandwagon is gathering slow momentum with Alan Shearer backing his case for the national job if Harry Redknapp isn’t appointed as successor to Fabio Capello.

Shearer was made England captain by Hoddle and repaid his faith by scoring five goals during qualification for the 1998 World Cup and two in the tournament.

“His coaching was excellent and he had a decent record,” Shearer said, after Hoddle admitted he’d be tempted to return to the England role..

Asked if he could be England coach again Shearer added: “Why shouldn’t he be? He was successful when he was England manager.

“On the pitch everyone liked him. He gave me the England captaincy so I thought he was fantastic!”

REAL LEAD CHASE FOR DZEKO

Edin Dzeko’s 18-month stay at Manchester City will end this summer with the Bosnian striker surplus to requirements at the Etihad.

Borussia Dortmund are keen to take the striker back to the Bundesliga – he was signed from Wolfsburg – but there will be plenty of interest from Spain and Italy as well.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is a firm admirer of the 26-year old, while Juventus need to recruit a proven finisher. Real’s Gonzalo Higuain could be used as bait in a deal for Dzeko, with City looking to recoup most of the £27m they paid for a striker who has scored 20 goals this season despite his limited role in recent weeks.

OWEN IN NO MOOD FOR RETIREMENT

Despite making just four appearances this season, Manchester United striker Michael Owen insists he still has at least two more years at the top level.

Owen has been sidelined with a thigh injury since November and has made it clear he has no intention of dropping down the leagues to extend his playing career.

The 32-year-old’s deal expires in the summer and it appears highly unlikely he will be offered a new contract at Old Trafford. But he hasn’t given up hope yet, saying: “There is still a burning ambition in me to play well.

“If it is at Man United that would be fabulous and I would be really lucky, but if it wasn’t I wouldn’t have a bad word to say about anyone at United because I have had an absolutely fabulous time. I certainly think I still have another two or three years left in me.”

RESULTS ROUND-UP

Roberto Di Matteo continued his impressive start as interim Chelsea coach as the Blues beat Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first leg thanks to Salomon Kalou’s second half strike.

Chelsea also discovered they’ll face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final as Spurs beat Bolton 3-1 in the game abandoned ten days ago after Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest. Everton will play Liverpool in the other semi-final after they comfortably beat Sunderland 2-0 in a replay at the Stadium of Light.

In the Championship West Ham moved to within a point of second placed Reading with a 2-0 win at Peterborough, while Portsmouth moved off bottom spot with a 2-0 home win over Hull City.

ON THE CONTINENT

Inter Milan have surprised many by named youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni, 36, as the successor to Claudio Ranieri, putting him in charge initially until the end of the season. At the press conference to introduce Stramaccioni, Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli turned up to offer his congratulations. You couldn’t make it up!

Real Madrid all but ended APOEL Nicosia’s hopes of progressing further in this season’s Champions League with a 3-0 win in Cyprus in the quarter-final first leg.

Parma have handed coach Roberto Donadoni a vote of confidence despite the team’s failure to win a game since February 5.

OTHER NEWS

There were remarkable scenes at Valley Parade last night as five players were red carded in the dressing rooms after a post-match brawl in the game between Bradford City and promotion-chasing Crawley Town.

Liverpool’s indifferent campaign received another blow with the confirmation that a knee injury will rule Charlie Adam out for the remainder of the season.

Manchester united are reported to be monitoring the progress of Notts County’s teenage German goalkeeper Fabian Speiss