LOMANA LuaLua has sensationally snubbed Newcastle by turning down the chance of a UEFA Cup semi-final appearance in Marseille tonight.

The African striker is currently on loan on Portsmouth and was part of the Pompey side that held champions Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.

But, with Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer nursing hamstring injuries that have prevented them from travelling to the south of France, Sir Bobby Robson was keen to recall LuaLua to bolster his attacking hand.

The United boss contacted the former Colchester frontman after Portsmouth agreed to release him for the rest of the campaign but, in a move that is sure to signal the end of his career on Tyneside, LuaLua opted to remain on the south coast.

"I spoke to Lomana and said that Newcastle wanted him to go to Marseille," said LuaLua's agent Tony Finnegan. "But he said no.

"He does realise that it's a big game but he wants to show Pompey that he's committed to them. He's happy where he is.

"He has the chance to show the world what he can do playing first-team football. He took a gamble going to Pompey but the fans have really taken to him and he's happy to stay."

Robson refused to be drawn on the situation before leading United's evening training session in Marseille's Stade Velodrome last night, but the United boss did concede: "He's not here and I have no interest in him as far as this game is concerned."

LuaLua is understood to be desperate to sign a permanent deal at Fratton Park this summer, and Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has hinted that Pompey will be willing to pay up to £2m to secure his services.

* Newcastle centre-half Stephen Caldwell is hoping his season of strife could yet end with a fairytale finish.

Caldwell's Magpies career looked to be at an end when Sir Bobby Robson sent him on loan to Leeds in January, and things rapidly got worse when the Scotland international was powerless to prevent the Yorkshire club crashing into the Nationwide League last weekend.

But, in an amazing turnaround, Newcastle's injury crisis forced Robson to offer the defender an olive branch on Tuesday and recall him to the United ranks.

Caldwell will start on the bench when United take on Marseille for a place in the UEFA Cup final tonight but, with Andy O'Brien suspended for the forthcoming league games against Wolves and Southampton, he could yet play a crucial role in helping the club achieve European and domestic success.

"It could be a great end to the season for me," said Caldwell, whose last Newcastle appearance came as a substitute in November's 5-0 trouncing at Chelsea.

"It would brighten my season up a bit because I'm obviously very disappointed with everything that happened at Leeds.

"Newcastle have been my club for the past seven years and everybody knows how much I love it here."

Caldwell's future is still uncertain as he is out of contract in the summer and United look unlikely to offer him a new deal.

"I don't want to come back and just make the numbers up like before," said Caldwell. "I want to be right in there playing football. I've told the manager that so hopefully I'll get a couple of chances."

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