Le Saux's ready to scrap it out

Graeme Le Saux today insisted that Newcastle remain firm favourites to claim third place in the Premiership.

Chelsea closed to within a point of Sir Bobby Robson's side with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Bolton, raising hopes of a top-three finish and comfortable qualification for the Champions League.

But Le Saux cannot see Newcastle dropping many more points this season and reckons Chelsea will still be involved in a scrap with Liverpool and Everton for the fourth spot in Europe's elite competition.

He said: "The situation is the same as before the Bolton game from our point of view with Everton and Liverpool the two teams we are most concerned about.

"It is more important that we concentrate on the teams below us.

Newcastle have got a good run-in whereas we can directly effect our position against Everton on Monday. Liverpool and Everton also play each other next weekend."

Manager Claudio Ranieri was full of praise for Carlton Cole after the 19-year-old marked his first league start of the season with the only goal against Bolton. He said: "My little lion is growing up very well. Everything he did was dangerous and he scored a fantastic goal."

But Ranieri was just as pleased with the performance of his defence, which has now conceded just one goal in their last four Premiership matches.

John Terry in particular has been in outstanding form and his future at the club now seems more secure, despite the lack of progress on a new contract.

Chelsea have suspended all salary talks with players until they know the outcome of their quest for a Champions League place, but chairman Ken Bates said: "John has two years on his contract, we took him at his word that he wants to stay with Chelsea and look forward to him signing a new and improved contract in July." The only problem for Ranieri now is who to pick between Terry, William Gallas and Marcel Desailly for the two centre-half slots.

Gallas was on the bench against Bolton and Ranieri said: "I have all my defenders in great condition at the moment. I must rest somebody and on Saturday it was Gallas.

"He also suffered a slight muscle problem last week, so I decided to keep him in reserve."