Fowler to decide if he's fit for Wembley

Dave Jones, the Cardiff City manager, will let Robbie Fowler decide whether he is ready to play against Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final on Saturday. Fowler has not played since mid-December because of a hip problem that required surgery. “Robbie will be in the squad, definitely,” Jones said yesterday. “Whether he will feel up to playing is another thing. He has worked his socks off to be fit, but we have to be careful that we don't force him into a position where he plays a few minutes or part of the game and then could miss the next three or four months. He's been around long enough to say if he's fine or not.”

Redknapp may leave it late

Harry Redknapp had expected to pick his FA Cup Final line-up early this week, but may not decide until the day of the game. “We didn't pick up any fresh knocks against Fulham, but I am still not sure about Sol Campbell and David James,” the Portsmouth manager said yesterday. “Sol still had a tight hamstring and I didn't want to chance him. As for Jamo, he has not trained yet and you have to be very careful after a torn calf. If I have to, I will leave it right until Saturday morning.”

Ashton seeks contract extension

Dean Ashton has called on West Ham United to extend his contract, which expires in June 2010, on better terms or risk losing him this summer. The club have agreed to return to the table to discuss a new deal after breaking off talks in January. “I'd just like to know where my future stands,” the 24-year-old forward, who has scored in each of his past three matches, said. “The thing I'm most worried about is what West Ham think of me.”

Dowie heads to QPR

Iain Dowie is expected to be named as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers on Thursday after talks with the Coca-Cola Championship club at the weekend. He will succeed Luigi De Canio, who left the club last week. Dowie, who was sacked by Coventry City in February, is likely to have Tim Flowers as his No2. Rumours circulated last week that Zinédine Zidane was in line for the job at Loftus Road.

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