Terriers turn on Smudger

Alan Smith may have scored an injury-time winner as a substitute for MK Dons on Tuesday, but his evening wasn't just soured by the fact that that goal wasn't enough to prevent Huddersfield from reaching the League 1 play-off final. It actually got worse after the final whistle, when a handful of home supporters took the opportunity to attack the former Leeds man on the Galpharm pitch. "Muppets", was Dons manager Karl Robinson's assessment.

Cab for Cabaye?

Interesting news from France, where Lille coach Rudi Garcia has revealed that Yohan Cabaye is set to join us. The midfielder has been instrumental in what has been a memorable season for the club, who claimed the league and cup double ahead of the more feted likes of Lyon and Marseille. The price tag is reported to be £4.3m - not bad for a full French international. Of course, the move for a defensively-minded midfielder would raise serious questions about Mr T's future at the club - might we be about to cash in on the Ivorian, on the strength of his superb first campaign in English football?

Whether Mr T stays on Tyneside or not, he's unlikely to find himself lining up alongside compatriot Gervinho. The striker, currently a team-mate of Cabaye, is a wanted man across Europe, but Garcia has declared that he won't be sold. Meanwhile, another forward with whom we've been linked, Blackburn's youthful livewire Junior Hoilett, also won't be leaving his current employers without a fight. (Incidentally, on the subject of strikers, it's hard to believe that Giuseppe Rossi, who had an undistinguished loan spell with us, might now be moving to the newly crowned European Cup holders for a staggering £40m...)

In other news, Sebastien Larsson is among a clutch of out-of-contract players released by relegated Birmingham, and I wouldn't be surprised if we make an approach for the unattached midfielder shortly. As well as new recruits, we've also moved to secure the long-term services of one of our brightest youth prospects, Shane Ferguson, who's been handed a five-year deal. (Credit to the BBC picture researcher for managing to find a phenomenally unflattering photo of the lad...)

Finally, commiserations to Lee Clark and Terry Mac's Huddersfield, whose third-placed finish counted for nowt as they were beaten in the League One play-off final by yo-yo entertainers Peterborough. Here's hoping Clarkie's side make it up to the Championship next season.

Zog on the Tyne - again?

Those Zog-back-to-Toon rumours just won't go away, will they? Having had a very last-minute bid rebuffed in January, it seems we're still eager to reunite the moody Frenchman with a black and white shirt.

Given the manner of his departure, he would be unlikely to be welcomed back with much enthusiasm. However, he's clearly blossomed into a better player at the DW Stadium - Wigan would already have been long condemned to a Championship future were it not for his critical contributions, the latest being a brace in the victory that relegated West Ham - and I'm sure Jabba would relish the opportunity to get one over on his old foe Dave Whelan. Even if the Latics don't go down, though, it'll be an almighty bun-fight that we're unlikely to win.

As for the Hammers, the bookies' favourite to replace Avram Grant and try to get them back into the Premier League is a familiar face. Good luck Chris.

Also on the subject of old boys, congratulations to Lee Clark's Huddersfield, who last night secured themselves a place in the League One play-off final by beating Bournemouth on penalties. That's now a stunning 27 games unbeaten for the Terriers, who will face free-scoring, leaky-defenced Peterborough in the Old Trafford showdown.