The news that Auguste Rodin will remain in training as a four-year-old has prompted much excitement, but he will need to buck a worrying trend to justify that brave decision.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge is set to become the sixth straight Derby winner from Epsom to race on the following season – and things have not exactly worked out well for the previous five.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how those Classic victors fared:

DESERT CROWN

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was a classy scorer at Epsom last year but failed to reappear that season due to injury setbacks. He made a promising return to action the following May when going down by just half a length to Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but then struggled to stay sound again and was sadly put down after fracturing a fetlock on the gallops.

ADAYAR

Godolphin’s son of Frankel stayed on strongly to romp home by four and a half lengths in the 2021 blue riband event at 16-1 and followed up with victory in the King George at Ascot becoming the first since Galileo to do the double. However, he could only land a low-key Doncaster conditions race at four before finishing second in the Champion Stakes. At five, Adayar won the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket but was then third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and was beaten at 1-3 in Group Two company at Newmarket on his final start before retirement.

SERPENTINE

Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt sprang a 25-1 surprise in the 2020 Derby and his subsequent exploits have certainly suggested that was a flash in the pan. After finishing well beaten in three starts at four, he was gelded and sent to Australia, where he has failed to win in 12 outings. Although placed three times in Group-class company, Serpentine has been tailed off in both of his attempts at Melbourne Cup glory.

ANTHONY VAN DYCK

Another Ballydoyle charge who showed plenty of spirit to prevail at Epsom in 2019 but that proved to be his sole Group One success. His four-year-old campaign began brightly enough with second place behind Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup but he was a disappointing favourite in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. The son of Galileo did do well to edge out Stradivarius in the Group Two Prix Foy at Longchamp and only went down by a head in the 18-runner Caulfield Cup in Australia, but he was then fatally injured during the 2020 Melbourne Cup.

MASAR

Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin colt stayed on strongly to land the 2018 Derby at 16-1 but injury problems then kept him off the track for 385 days. When he returned to action at four, the son of New Approach was a moderate fifth in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and then finished last of six at Group Two level at Newmarket before being sent to stud.

Trainer Richard Hobson is confident he has his stable star Fugitif “spot-on” for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old may have only managed a solitary victory in testing conditions at Chepstow last season, but he did also finish second three times at Prestbury Park, including when chasing home Seddon at the Festival in March.

Fugitif will make his reappearance 22lb higher in the weights than when filling the runner-up spot at this meeting 12 months ago, but Hobson believes he is better than ever and did not feel it necessary to give him a prep run ahead of his latest bid for big-race glory.

He said: “Fugitif is in good shape. He’ll have his final bit of work tomorrow (Tuesday), he’ll have a pop (over fences) on Thursday and as long as that all goes smoothly we’re all set for Saturday.

“We decided we’d go straight there. I was thinking he was going to get there too soon fitness-wise, but actually he’ll just be spot-on.

“He ran lovely over two miles first time out last season and wouldn’t have been as fit as he is this time round, but he’s gone up a few pounds since then.”

On the prospect of potentially encountering testing conditions this weekend, Hobson added: “The wetter the better for him – you saw him at Chepstow last year. I think it’s just going to be nice, soft ground and that will be fine.

“He’s a strong horse and not far off 18 hands. He’s a weight carrier, he’s improved through the summer and he’s got a beautiful weight (11st 5lb) – I could nearly ride him myself!”

Fugitif is one of 17 horses in contention for the Paddy Power Gold Cup following Monday’s confirmation stage, with ante-post favourite Stage Star and top-weight The Real Whacker also still in the mix.

Stage Star won twice at Cheltenham last term, including the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival, and he is well fancied to provide champion trainer Paul Nicholls with a third victory in this weekend’s feature handicap following the previous triumphs of Al Ferof (2012) and Caid Du Berlais (2014).

The Real Whacker is also a Festival hero, having edged out Gerri Colombe in a thrilling Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in March, taking his course record to three from three over fences for Patrick Neville.

The seven-year-old will, though, have to concede upwards of 7lb to each of his rivals on Saturday under the welter burden of 12 stone.

Dan Skelton will have high hopes for Unexpected Party, who unlike many of his major rivals does have the benefit of a recent run, having made an impressive return at Chepstow last month.

Laura Morgan’s pair of Notlongtillmay and Whistleinthedark, the Sam Thomas-trained Angels Breath and Authorized Art from the Willie Mullins yard have also stood their ground.

Mauricio Pochettino’s start to life as Chelsea manager has been somewhat of a mixed bag with the Blues lying 10th after 12 games of the Premier League season.

A recent 4-1 win at title-chasing Tottenham and draws against Arsenal and Manchester City suggest the Blues are beginning to turn a corner after taking only five points from their first six league games.

Here, the PA news agency breaks down Chelsea’s season so far under Pochettino.

A poor start

Chelsea’s unbeaten pre-season form did not translate to the Premier League where they struggled to pick up points in the early stages. An opening day 1-1 draw to Liverpool was followed by a 3-1 defeat at West Ham before the Blues went winless in their next three against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Aston Villa. The 1-0 defeat at home to Villa saw Pochettino call for his players to “grow up” after the Blues’ stuttering start saw the pressure mount on their Argentinian manager.

A young team

All of Chelsea’s 12 summer signings are aged 25 and under as chairman Todd Boehly looked to recruit youth as a solution to last season’s poor performances, which led to a dismal 12th-place finish in the Premier League. The upheaval to the squad in the summer led to the Blues’ early teething problems as Pochettino juggled formations and XIs in a bid to find his preferred personnel.

Is Cole Palmer Chelsea’s main man?

Cole Palmer has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s XI since his September transfer from Manchester City. The winger, who has also featured as an attacking midfielder, cost a reported £42.5 million and has scored four times from the spot against Burnley, Arsenal Spurs and a last-minute equaliser in Sunday’s 4-4 draw against his old club City. Palmer’s creativity has helped Nicolas Jackson unlock his goalscoring touch, with the Senegal striker netting four times in his last two appearances.

Turning the corner?

The west London club have picked up six points in four games against the so-called ‘big six’, which is an improvement on the four points they managed across the whole of last season against their rivals. Although Chelsea have had success against high-pressing opposition, they still need to find solutions to combat low blocks after their recent 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has claimed he could be back in action as early as December, according to reports.

Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, has been out since he tore his Achilles tendon while making his Jets debut on Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

The 39-year-old has since undergone a surgical procedure known as a "speed bridge", as he looks to quicken up his recovery.

And according to NBC's Melissa Stark, Rodgers could be back in action in time for the playoffs.

"I know it sounds insane but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible," Rodgers told Stark.

The Jets are 4-5 for the season following a 16-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

The international break could hardly have been better timed for Newcastle with the rigours of competing on multiple fronts having taken a devastating toll on their playing resources.

On Saturday, the Magpies arrived at Bournemouth without 11 senior players as a result of injury and suspension.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the issues facing a club which has enjoyed a swift rise under its new owners amid stiff opposition on and off the pitch.

How extensive are Newcastle’s selection problems?

Very. Head coach Eddie Howe was unable to call upon Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson through injury, as well as suspended duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, at the Vitality Stadium. The Magpies then saw Miguel Almiron added to the list when he limped off after just 31 minutes. Burn, Barnes and Anderson are facing months on the sidelines, while £55million summer signing Tonali will not be able to play again until August next year after admitting breaches of betting regulations.

How much toll have the injuries taken on the pitch?

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Until last week, very little, but chickens have started to come home to roost. Howe, who favours a high-pressing game, gambled on leaving Almiron and the in-form Anthony Gordon out of his starting line-up for Tuesday night’s Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund in the hope they would be able to come off the bench and affect the game late on. In the event, he was forced to introduce them at half-time with Dortmund already leading, and his side was unable to stave off a 2-0 defeat. So depleted were Newcastle’s resources on the south coast four days later that 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley was handed a first Premier League start, while 18-year-old striker Ben Parkinson was used as a substitute and Alex Murphy, 19, and Amadou Diallo, 20, were also named on the bench. However, tired legs and minds contributed to a second successive 2-0 loss.

What lies ahead?

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If the opening three months of the season have been gruelling, the final two months of 2023 promise to be no less taxing. The Magpies head for Paris St Germain on November 28 and entertain AC Milan on December 13 knowing they may have to win both games to keep alive their first Champions League campaign for 20 years, and having accounted for both Manchester clubs in the Carabao Cup, now travel to Chelsea in the quarter-finals next month. In addition, they face league clashes with improving Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham before they head for Liverpool on New Year’s Day as they attempt to fight their way to another top-four finish.

Will they attempt to address the situation in January?

They were always likely to bolster their squad during the winter transfer window, but Tonali’s unexpected absence has made that imperative. However, they also remain short in central defence and attacking roles and all three areas are likely to be focuses.

How might their options be limited?

The club was close to its Financial Fair Play limit at the end of its summer spending spree and sporting director Dan Ashworth has indicated a “creative” approach may be needed, and that could mean loan deals with options to buy. In addition, Premier League shareholders will later this month vote on a proposal to ban loan deals between ‘associated clubs’ – those whose owners hold stakes in other clubs – on an interim basis. Newcastle are 80 per cent-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also has controlling interests in Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Agreement would prevent the Magpies from pursuing a long-held interest in Al-Hilal’s former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, with whom they have been linked repeatedly in recent weeks.

Is there a need for perspective?

There is. The club sat just one place off the foot of the table when Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the helm in November 2021. They finished fourth last season to secure a place at European football’s top table for the first time in two decades and also reached the Carabao Cup final. They currently lie fourth in Champions League Group F, but have a mathematical chance of making the knockout stage, and are seventh in the Premier League table with another domestic cup run well under way.

Aidan O’Brien is excited by the prospect of training Auguste Rodin as a four-year-old after he confirmed the dual Derby and Breeders’ Cup winner is to stay in training.

Following his exploits at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, many expected the Deep Impact colt would head off to stud, given how valuable he would be as a son of the great Japanese stallion.

However, the Coolmore triumvirate of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, along with partner Georg Von Opel’s Westerberg operation, have given O’Brien the go-ahead to think about next year with him and the Ballydoyle handler is understandably delighted.

“It’s a big decision and we’re obviously absolutely delighted,” said O’Brien to the PA news agency.

“The decision has been made to keep him in training and we’re just delighted.

“He covers a lot of bases; he’s a multiple Group One winner over 10 furlongs and a mile and a half, so he’s versatile, so it’s just going to be great to have him again.

“Obviously, the first thing is for him to have a little rest, he had a long season, then we’ll see about where he will start off.”

When asked if a Breeders’ Cup Classic bid would be his ultimate aim next season, O’Brien said: “Obviously, all the races will be open to him and we’ll just see how he gets on.”

Auguste Rodin’s season began in disappointing circumstances, finishing tailed off in the 2000 Guineas, but O’Brien worked his magic to get him back in top form for the Derby at Epsom, beating King Of Steel.

He was then more workmanlike in the Irish Derby at the Curragh before again disappointing at Ascot in the King George, only for him to bounce back once again in the Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Ryan Moore then earned plenty of plaudits for the ride which he gave Auguste Rodin at the Breeders’ Cup, saving every yard on the inside rail before quickening clear.

Ben Davies insists Wales are determined to prove the doubters wrong by making Euro 2024 and reaching a fourth major tournament in five attempts.

Wales are preparing for decisive Euro 2024 ties against Armenia and Turkey knowing qualification for next summer’s finals is in their own hands.

Last month’s stunning 2-1 upset win over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia has set Rob Page’s side up for what could be another momentous week in Welsh football.

Tottenham defender Davies, stand-in skipper for the injured Aaron Ramsey on the night and again this week, gave a rousing ‘huddle’ speech after the Croatia game that was caught on camera.

Evoking the words of Dafydd Iwan’s Yma O Hyd – the 1980s folk protest song which has been adopted by the Football Association of Wales as an anthem and translates as “Still Here” – Davies declared that the Dragons never give in.

“It was just a case of showing the reason why we’re here,” Davies said of a speech which came during a campaign in which Wales have had to adapt to life without the match-winning exploits of the retired Gareth Bale.

“It was backs against the walls stuff, it was showing that people doubted us again but we’re still standing.

“We’re standing up against the challenges and here we are with two games to go still in the fight.

“We never stopped believing in this group. The mindset we’ve got is we can get a result against anyone. We’ve shown that.”

If they fail to qualify automatically – dropped points will leave them relying on other results for a top-two place – Wales are guaranteed a play-off place through their elite status in the last edition of the Nations League.

But overcoming Armenia and already-qualified Turkey might be an easier proposition than beating the likes of Norway, Poland and Ukraine in March.

Automatic qualification, however, looked improbable after June’s 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff, and the subsequent 2-0 away loss in Turkey three days later.

Davies said: “It was obviously disappointing to lose to Armenia at home in the summer.

“In these groups your home record usually has to be very good, but we’ve been here before.

“We’ve had our backs against the wall and we’ve given ourselves a chance. It’s exactly the same now.

“It’s quite clear the second game doesn’t matter if the first one doesn’t go our way.

“This week it’s full focus on Armenia. We had a tough result against them at home, it was a real wake-up call.

“They’re a good side and showed that against us, and it’s important we go there knowing we’ve got a big job to do.”

Davies, Ramsey and goalkeepers Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey are the four survivors remaining from the squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

Wales went 58 years before their first major tournament – the 1958 World Cup – and their second in France.

But playing in Germany next summer would see them making four tournaments out of five – three successive European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.

“Growing up it was a dream of Welsh football to be going to these major tournaments,” Davies said.

“That dream still exists and this is another huge chance we’ve got.

“We don’t want to sit on the success and say: ‘OK, we’ve been there and had a nice time’.

“Once you get a taste of it you want to do it again. That’s exactly where we are as a group this time.”

Wales qualified for Euro 2020 by winning their final two games, away to Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary, and obvious parallels exist with a far-flung trip to Eastern Europe followed by a sell-out clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Davies said: “Of course there are similarities from the last time we qualified (for the European Championship).

“It’s a tight group and they’re always going to come down to it (last games), whatever happens. Most of us have been in this situation before and it’s an opportunity for us to do it again.”

Harry Bentley has been handed a two-month suspension and fined HK$300,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to improper conduct.

In a two-day stewards’ inquiry conducted last week, Bentley admitted to breaching rule 155 under the rules of racing in Hong Kong, which relates to misconduct, improper conduct or inappropriate behaviour.

The HKJC found that the 31-year-old did engage in improper conduct due to “inappropriate communications in respect to information about horses he had ridden in trackwork, barrier trials or races with persons who were not the registered owners or nominators of such horses, using a private mobile telephone provided by such persons”.

The governing body also ruled that Bentley agreed to accept a payment from a person who was not the nominator of a horse in relation to a race he had ridden in, as well as providing false or misleading statements at an interview conducted on October 31.

In determining the penalty, the stewards took into consideration Bentley’s guilty plea and the nature and circumstances of the breach, including that the evidence established that he did not receive any payment.

The stewards also recognised Bentley’s personal and professional circumstances at the time of the offence and his unblemished record in relation to similar offences.

The rider’s suspension commences on November 3 and will expire on January 3.

Steve Kerr is not too worried by the Golden State Warriors' form, though conceded his team need to be less reliant on Stephen Curry.

Curry scored 38 points – his sixth 30-point game of the season – though the Warriors lost for the third game running as they went down 116-110 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, on only one other occasion this season has one of his teammates had at least 20 point, with Curry outscoring any other player on the Warriors' roster by at least five points in all 11 games this campaign, which is the longest such streak to start a season since Michael Jordan in 1987-88.

The Warriors lead the Pacific Division but hold a 6-5 record for the season, and while Kerr is not worried by the current rut, he does want to see other players step up to support Curry.

"I'm actually not overly concerned to be honest with you," Kerr said. 

"The season is filled with ups and downs and we're in a little bit of a spell right now. But it's not like we were the world's greatest team when we were six and two and we're not the world's worst team losing the last three.

"This is part of the season and I think we just played, back-to-back, two great defensive teams that throttled us and we need to figure out some things offensively and I'm confident that we will.

"No question, we need some scoring and some playmaking elsewhere."

In Curry's mind, there is no reason to panic. 

"There's always been a certain approach to guarding us. For years you know where attention is going to be," Curry said.

"Usually try to blitz me in a pick-and-roll, stay body-tight on Klay [Thompson], whatever the case is we have to make adjustments. We can't just keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

"It's not a panic or anything. It's just a matter of getting a little smarter and a little bit more organised.

"Everything is on the table for us for adjustments. When you've lost three straight, you have to make adjustments. I don't know if it's a rotation thing or whatever the case is, but everything is on the table and everyone has to be ready to step in."

Draymond Green, meanwhile, is expecting more from himself and his other teammates.

"Chris [Paul and I] got to do a better job of making sure we're getting into things," Green said.

"When Steph's got it going, he's got it going. He's just moving. It's on us to realise that and learn how to also use him to get other guys' looks as well.

"We as players have to do better. When we're playing well, players get the credit, when you're playing bad, players have to f****** take the blame as well. We can come up here and point a bunch of fingers, at the end of the day we play basketball and it's our [job] to figure it out and play better."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has heaped praise on skipper John McGinn, describing the midfielder as a “very good example” for other players.

Sunday’s 3-1 home win over Fulham saw McGinn put Villa 2-0 up just before the interval with a fine strike from 20 yards, then help create the hosts’ third, scored by Ollie Watkins in the 64th minute.

The Scotland international has netted three times and provided two assists for fifth-placed Villa in the Premier League so far this term and has also scored twice in the Europa Conference League.

Emery said of McGinn, who has been with the club since 2018: “He is himself very demanding.

“He is competitive, he always is ready to play, physically as well. I think when he is not training or playing he is resting – his energy always is full.

“He is a very good example, of how he is consistent and trying to help and to be an example, a very good example for players.

“I really, really appreciate a lot as a person how he is, but as a professional, he is fantastic.

“His connection here, his commitment here for a long time, with the supporters, with Aston Villa, with the project that is here, and he came here when they were in the Championship…I think he’s one of the players I really appreciate and really need to be an example for others.”

The result at Villa Park meant Emery’s side – a point outside the top four and only three off the top – made it six wins out of six at home in the league this season and equal the post-war club record for successive top-flight home victories, matching the 13 in a row achieved in 1983.

Prior to McGinn and Watkins’ efforts, the hosts had taken the lead in the 27th minute via an Antonee Robinson own goal.

Fulham reduced the deficit with 20 minutes of normal time to go when Raul Jimenez, who had seen a shot tipped against a post by Emiliano Martinez early in the second half, opened his account for the club.

It was a first league goal for the Mexico international, signed from Wolves in the summer, since March 2022.

Fulham boss Marco Silva, whose side are 16th in the table after a third defeat in four league games, said the goal would be a weight off Jimenez’s shoulders.

He said: “For sure it’s going to be not so heavy for the next time that he’s going to be on the pitch.

“It’s a tough one, it’s a long time without scoring in the Premier League. Unfortunately for us, it didn’t give the chance for us to add points with his goal.

“But I’m sure if he keeps working like he’s doing, and trying to do his best, and we keep delivering for him as well, in the future he’s going to score (goals) that can count towards points for us.”

Jimenez, whose former club are Fulham’s first opponents after the international break, told the Cottagers’ official website: “Of course it’s always nice to score my first goal in the Premier League in a long time, and first goal for Fulham.

“I’m really happy for that, but obviously the result is not what we wanted and I want to keep doing this, keep scoring, and help the team to get better.

“This needs to be the goal that opens the bottle. I need to keep going and it’s going to be a special game for me, that next game (against Wolves), and I want to do my best.”

Envoi Allen is poised for an outing at Leopardstown over Christmas following his narrow defeat at Down Royal on Saturday.

Although not fluent at the last it looked like the three-times Cheltenham Festival winner was going to defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase title as he held an advantage over Gordon Elliott pair of Gerri Colombe and Conflated.

However, Jack Kennedy conjured up an extra effort aboard Gerri Colombe to hunt down Envoi Allen in the dying strides and inflict an agonising defeat on Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding could continue campaigning at three miles for the time being with a run in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period a possibility, although a repeat of his Ryanair Chase heroics appears the aim for Cheltenham in the spring.

“I thought he ran a cracker and Rachael (Blackmore) gave him an amazing ride and but for putting down at the last we may have held on,” said De Bromhead.

“It was a much improved run from Gowran and great to see him back like that. I was as happy as you could be without winning.

“He may go for the Savills and ultimately it’s the Ryanair I think.”

Meanwhile, De Bromhead’s 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo could be set for a new challenge having been well held in fourth at Down Royal, with Cross Country and Grand National options entering the equation.

He added: “We might lower our sights with him now but I’ll need to speak with the Maloneys (owners) before firming up plans.

“We are thinking about going down the Cross Country and Grand National route with him.”

Emile Heskey will be stunned if Mauricio Pochettino isn't given time to rebuild Chelsea, who are beginning to show signs of life under the former Tottenham boss.

Chelsea have spent over £1billion in the transfer market in 18 months since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over, and they have been inconsistent since embarking on another spending spree ahead of Pochettino's first campaign in charge.

After a below-par start under the Argentine, Chelsea have shown encouraging signs in recent weeks, thrashing nine-man Tottenham 4-1 in a remarkable London derby before playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

That latter game – the first in the Premier League to feature four equalising goals since Liverpool and Arsenal's iconic 4-4 draw in April 2009 – saw Cole Palmer convert a 95th-minute penalty to deny his former club victory.

Chelsea went into the November international break five points adrift of the Premier League's top six, and with the team starting to show positive signs, Heskey believes Boehly will have greater patience with Pochettino than he did with predecessors Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel.

"If you haven't negotiated that you need time at Chelsea, a club that was going through so much turmoil at that time, it would be silly," Heskey told Stats Perform.

"I'd be very surprised if he hasn't gone through that with them; 'We need time to actually build this and make sure we've got the time'. 

"The reality is that if you look at some of their games, they've battered teams but not won. So there's something else there in play where the confidence of the players to go and finish, they've lost that. 

"You can't say that you created 26 chances and not scored. There's something right there because you're creating 26 chances, but something's fundamentally wrong when that composure to finish isn't there. 

"That could be with the stadium, the crowd, the tension that comes with that. They've never had it before because you've had all these top forwards who were just banging in goals. 

"They were ruthless. They were relentless. Now they haven't got that, they need something. 

"They've got players that need an arm around them, and they've got players that are low on confidence. How do you bring them back up?"

Chelsea are yet to win a trophy under the Boehly regime, though Pochettino has led them to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup, a competition which appears wide open with City, Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal already being knocked out.

Heskey won that competition four times during his playing career, twice with Leicester City and twice with Liverpool, also finishing on the losing side in another two finals. 

While many consider Chelsea among the favourites to win the trophy, Heskey feels they face a tough task in the last eight, adding: "If I look at the next round, they've got Newcastle and that's not an easy job. 

"Newcastle are flying at this moment in time. And for me, if I'm Eddie Howe, that's the competition I want to win."