Rocastle's son given Final role

Ryan Rocastle, nine-year-old son of the late David Rocastle, will lead Arsenal out at next month's FA Cup Final against Liverpool in Cardiff.

Ryan will be the club's mascot at the Millennium Stadium on 12 May. Arsenal have also invited his mother Janet and sisters Monique, five, and Melissa, 12, to the game.

"We are very appreciative of Arsenal's gesture, to make Ryan the mascot, and also the club's attitude towards us since David's death," Mrs Rocastle said.

"Ryan is very excited and looking forward to the day, as we all are."

Rocastle, who won championship medals with Arsenal in 1989 and 1991, died of cancer three weeks ago at the age of 33.

Meanwhile, Millennium Stadium officials have assured the Football Association that the Cup Final will be played on a perfect surface despite having to relay the pitch for a second time in four months.

The FA were unhappy with the state of the existing pitch after it was cut up during Sunday's LDV Vans Final between Brentford and Port Vale.