Man City Turn Attention To Cudicini After Newcastle Reject Given Bid

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is to turn his attention to Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (below) after having an offer in the region of £3million rejected out of hand by Newcastle United for Republic of Ireland International keeper Shay Given.

A spokesman for the Magpies has confirmed that the North East club had received a formal bid from their Premiership rivals City for Given, but dismissed the offer out of hand, with Newcastle claiming the offer was “laughable” for the keeper, which they consider to be the best in the Premier League.

The Newcastle spokesman said: “We received a bid for Shay in writing from Manchester City and we dismissed it out of hand.

“It was for between three and four million pounds which is laughable when you consider we are talking about the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.”

It is understood that Newcastle, have placed a £11million price-tag on 32-year-old Given, with the Toon spokesman also revealing that talks over the Irishman leaving St James’ Park would not even be considered unless a bid of at least £8million was forthcoming from the Blue half of Manchester.

Hughes has always insisted that he will not be forced into paying over the odds after last summer’s takeover at City by the wealthy ADUG to bring in fresh faces to the Eastlands Stadium, with the former Blackburn Rovers boss now set to turn his attention to Blues No2 Cudicini.

35-year-old Cudicini has been at Stamford Bridge since joining from Castel di Sangro in 2000, but has had to play second fiddle to Petr Cech since Cech’s arrival from Rennes in 2004 and could see a move to City as a last chance to play regular first team football.

Cudicini is out of contract at Chelsea next summer, with manager Luiz Felipe Scolari possibly ready to cash in on the keeper this month rather than have the Italian leave the West London club on a free transfer in the summer.

Newcastle Desperate To Offload £5million Flop

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is desperate for a Spanish club to make an offer for £5million Magpie misfit Xisco. Before Kinnear can bring in his own transfer targets to the Premier League club.

22-year-old Xisco arrived at the North East club in the summer from La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna in an initial £5.7million deal. However, the Spanish Under-21 International has failed to make an impact in the Premiership, with the striker just featuring 4 times in the league for Newcastle this season, scoring the once on his Magpies debut against Hull City.



Xisco now looks certain to depart St James’ Park, having been brought in against former manager Kevin Keegan’s wishes in the summer. Kinnear has deemed the striker surplus to requirements at Newcastle and is eager recoup of much as the fee paid for Xisco in the summer.

“If we can get back somewhere near what we paid for the player we have in mind then I could go and get another player that I want for £5m,” said Kinnear, quoted in the Sunday Sun.

“One deal will automatically trigger the next one.

“So I’m banging on the door hoping that they (the buying club) will make a decision because the player that I want is wanted by other teams too.

“The last thing I want is to let someone else get in there before we do.”

N'Zogbia Wants Arsenal Move

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Newcastle United midfielder Charles N'Zogbia has stated once again that he wishes to leave St James’ Park in January, with the Frenchman expressing a desire to stay in the Premier League and admitting that Arsenal would be his preferred destination.

22-year-old N’Zogbia is reportedly a target for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, with Premiership rivals Aston Villa along with Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain also linked with a move for the French Under-21 International.

N’Zogbia has become disillusioned with events at the North East club in recent months and is desperate for a move away from the Toon in order to win trophies and realise his ambition of playing for the senior French side. N’Zogbia, who joined Newcastle as an 18-year-old from the Le Havre youth side four-years ago has also claimed that the Magpies are willing to let him leave St James’ Park, should the right offer come along.

“I am used to English Football, so my priority is to stay here,” N'Zogbia told Le 10 Sport.

“France? I don't know it very well! But I think about it. I don't have any contact with French clubs, or any other clubs.

“I ask myself questions about my future. At Newcastle for three years we are playing in the bottom of the league. I want to win titles, and I have set myself high objectives, like being in the French team.

“I told Newcastle in case of possible transfer, I will do anything to leave this winter. If the club receives a nice offer, they will try to transfer me."

“Arsenal is the club that makes me dream the most in the Premier League.

“Lyon is a very, very good club. PSG is currently in a very good period.

“If I could have to be transferred there, I would have no regret. It would be a good choice.

“But Anyway, I am at Newcastle so far. I give my best for that club, which gave me my start in professional football.”

Newcastle Boss Insists Given Is Not For Sale

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has once again declared that Republic of Ireland International goalkeeper Shay Given is not for sale, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City all reportedly interested in securing the services of the shot-stopper this month.

Despite reports earlier on Friday that 32-year-old has become disillusioned with life at the Magpies after 11-years at St James’ Park, with Given’s lawyer hinting that the keeper was ready to quit the Toon. Kinnear has insisted that Given, who is under contract at the Premiership club until 2011, will not be leaving Newcastle.

Kinnear said: “I'm not sure of the facts that he (Kennedy) has said or how it's been interpreted, but what I will say is Shay is contracted until 2011.

“He is our player and he is going to stay our player, it's as simple as that.

“We are not interested at all (in selling him). I want to clear that - that is probably the last time I will be talking about it.

“He is here, he is our player and he is going to stay our player.

“He is an integral part of the team, he is the best goalkeeper by miles in the league, so why should we jeopardise our chances in the position we are in?

"It wouldn't make sense, so as far as I am concerned, he is going to stay our player.”

Inter Target Owen In Suazo Swap Deal?

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Newcastle United striker Michael Owen, who is out of contract at St James’ Park at the end of the season has been linked with a move to Serie A Champions Inter Milan in January, with David Suazo currently on loan at Benfica due to come the other way as part of a swap deal for the England International.

Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho has identified a striker as a main target to add to his squad at the San Siro next month. Despite having a wealth of strikers available at the Italian club, Mourinho is looking for someone to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is the top-scorer for Inter this season with 10 goals, while the next best tally belongs to Julio Cruz, with 2 goals this campaign.

Although it is understood that Didier Drogba at his former club Chelsea is Mourinho’s main target. Mourinho has resigned himself to waiting until the summer for a reunion with the Ivory Coast International.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Mourinho sees former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Owen as an ideal short-term solution and is willing to let Suazo move in the opposite direction in order to make the deal go through. However, whether the Magpies decide to let Owen leave Newcastle or have the striker at the Premier League club until the summer, when Owen can leave for nothing remains to be seen.

Newcastle To Swoop For French Teenager Sakho?

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is planning to swoop for Paris St Germain’s teenage defender Mamadou Sakho, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to The People.

The Magpies have already been linked with 18-year-old Sakho last April, with previous Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan keen on bringing the versatile defender to St James’ Park. With new boss Kinnear now reportedly ready to reignite the Premier League clubs interest in Sakho, who has already captained PSG making him the youngest captain in Ligue 1 history aged 17.

Newcastle are understood to have sent scouts to watch Sakho in action against Dutch side FC Twente in the UEFA Cup last week, with scouts from other Premiership clubs also at the game to watch the defender that can play as right-back or as a central defender.

Sakho has come through the youth system at PSG, joining the club as an 11-year-old and making his senior debut in 2007, with the defender, who is valued at around £6million already making 20 appearances for PSG during his fledgling career at the Parc des Princes.

Newcastle have already got French defender Sebastien Bassong at St James’ Park, who was a summer signing from FC Metz and should they follow up their initial interest in Sakho, will hope that the teenager can settle into the rigours of the Premier league as quickly as Bassong has at the Toon.

Newcastle v Tottenham Premier League Preview: Can Spurs End The Magpies 5-Game Unbeaten Run?

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Newcastle United play Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Joe Kinnear’s Magpies go into this clash on a 5-game unbeaten run, but only one win in this streak against Portsmouth 3-0 at Fratton Park last Sunday, with draws against Stoke City, Middlesbrough, Chelsea and Wigan Athletic. However, Newcastle are still in the relegation fight and find themselves just 1 point off the drop zone in 14th place in the Premier League and just ahead of Sunday’s opposition Tottenham by virtue of goals scored.

Spurs go into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw with Premiership Champions Manchester United last Saturday at White Hart Lane, but still find themselves in the wrong half of the table in 15th place. Redknapp’s side have only lost twice in the league since his arrival from Portsmouth, but both of those defeats against Everton and Fulham have come in their last 5 matches, with wins against West Ham United and struggling Blackburn Rovers completing their results for this 5-match sequence.

Newcastle will be without strikers Obafemi Martins (groin) and Alan Smith (achilles) along with Joey Barton (knee) and Ignacio Gonzalez (achilles), with Mark Viduka and Michael Owen expected to lead the attack.

Redknapp has a growing injury list at White Hart Lane, with Giovanni (ankle), Alan Hutton (metatarsal), Jonathan Woodgate (back), Darren Bent (virus) and Jermaine Jenas (calf) all ruled out of the trip to the North East. Ledley King is still struggling with a persistent knee injury and is a doubt, but Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko are available after being cup-tied for the UEFA clash with Spartak Moscow on Thursday.

Newcastle United: (from) Given, Coloccini, Enrique, Bassong, Taylor, Cacapa, Guthrie, Owen, Duff, Harper, N’Zogbia, Xisco, Geremi, Beye, Butt, Ameobi, Kadar, Edgar, Tozer, Viduka, LuaLua, Carroll, Donaldson, Ranger

Tottenham Hotspur: (from) Gomes, Bale, King, Gunter, Woodgate, Corluka, Bentley, Huddlestone, Zokora, Gilberto, Lennon, Modric, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell, Cesar, Stalteri, Boateng, Rocha, Taarabt, Dawson, Ghaly, O’Hara, Assou-Ekotto

Kinnear Resigned To Losing Newcastle Striker

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has revealed that England International Michael Owen is looking at options away from St James’ Park, with the striker due to be offered an extension to his current contract at the Premier League club next week, which expires at the end of the season.

28-year-old Owen is among four players at the Magpies, who are out out of contact in the summer, with Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi and steve harper also set to be offered new deals by Kinnear next week.

However, while Kinnear is confident that Harper, Ameobi and Butt, will all sign new contracts with the North East club the Toon chief is less upbeat about his chances of keeping former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Owen at St James’ Park.

Kinnear said: “We have heard lots of things, that Michael's agent has had lots of clubs on to him.

“Obviously, they will want to know what type of contract we are going to offer him.

“I won't go into those details now, but we will be offering him what we consider an excellent contract considering the climate of what is happening around all football clubs.

“But it will be up to Michael to make that decision.

“I am pretty confident that Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt will sign, it's now just down to Michael.

"Michael is well aware of that, so is his agent. They are well aware of my feelings on that, but the ball is in his court.

“I will find out, hopefully, on Tuesday.

"I'm not confident to be honest. I'm pretty confident about everybody else, but Michael is a different kettle of fish.

“He is looking at his options, I assume, but I won't go into those details until Tuesday.”

Owen To Get Take It Or Leave It Deal At Newcastle

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Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnaer is set to offer England International striker Michael Owen a take it or leave it deal after the Magpies Premier League clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.

28-year-old Newcastle captain Owen’s current deal with the Toon runs out at the end of the season and talks about extending the former Liverpool and Real Madrid players stay at St James’ Park have been put on hold until now.

Owen is one of four Newcastle players out of contract at the North East club next year, with Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt also coming to the end of their present deals at the Premiership club.

Manchester United along with Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked with a move for Owen next month in recent weeks, but Kinnear has revealed that he wants all four to stay at Newcastle, with captain Owen his biggest concern following the speculation surrounding his future at the Magpies.

Kinnear said: “I would like to get all players out of contract at the moment signed up this week.

“I have spent the last three or four days discussing offers on the table with the four players I want to stay and once I get those out of way I will look at the transfer market and I am then pretty confident I will have two new faces.

“The squad would be stronger with players back from injury but I need reinforcements that is for sure.

“I will put the ball in the players' court and offers will be made and then it is up to them to let me know if they will accept them.”

However, while Kinnear has declared that it will be up to Owen and the others if they accept new deals, Kinnear also insisted that Newcastle, will not be selling any of their best players, with Newcastle battling relegation from the Premier League.

“We won't be selling anybody here until we are out of the position we are in. We are fighting relegation with 10 others and I don't see the point in getting rid of our best players,” he added.

Rosicky Out Until March, But Eduardo Back Next Week For Gunners

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he does not expect long-term injury Tomas Rosicky to play for the Gunners again until “March at the earliest”, with the midfielder already having spent almost a year on the sidelines at the Emirates Stadium.

The 28-year-old Czech Republic International sustained the hamstring tendon injury against Newcastle United in the FA Cup last January, which kept Rosicky out of the summer EURO 2008 tournament and the former Borussia Dortmund, player has not featured at all in the Premier League for Arsenal this season.

Rosicky had to have further surgery for the injury in November, with Wenger confirming on Monday that he will not feature again for the North London club until at least March next year.

Wenger told the club's official website: “He's doing rehab at the moment.

“He's back here on 17th December and then hopefully we can start to work with him. But it's a long-term prospect - maybe March at the earliest."

However, Wenger also revealed some positive news for Arsenal fans, when he said that striker Eduardo, who has been out since February after breaking his leg in a Premiership match against Birmingham City last season, will play against Portsmouth reserves next week.

Wenger added: “He will play on 16th December in the reserve team (against Portsmouth reserves).”

Newcastle To Make January Swoop For Argentine

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is looking to add to his contingent of Argentines at the North East club, with Lucas Mareque of Independiente on the Magpies wish list when the transfer window reopens in January.

Newcastle already have two Argentines on the books at St James’ Park after the summer signings of Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini. Kinnear, who took over at the Toon from Kevin Keegan in September has been pleased with the way that Coloccini and Gutierrez have settled in the Premier League and is now ready to try and add left-back Mareque to his squad in January.


Kinnear said: “Lucas Mareque is a player we are looking to bring in from Independiente in the January transfer window and we are trying to find out what that would entail.

“He is 6ft 2ins and height is something we could do with in our back four.

“We have looked at the way our own Argentineans Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini have settled in and we have spoken to them about Mareque and they have given us glowing reports.”

25-year-old Mareque joined Independiente from FC Porto in 2008, having been on loan from the Liga Sagres Champions since 2007 and has made 52 appearances for the Diablos during his time at the Estadio Libertadores de America.

Owen Set For Newcastle Exit

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England International striker Michael Owen will not be signing a new contract at Premier League club Newcastle United, with Magpies boss Joe Kinnear admitting that Owen will be talking to other clubs in January.

Resigned to losing former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Owen, Kinnear has also revealed that, several other players at St James’ Park, who like 28-year-old Owen are in the final year of their contracts are set to decide on their futures at the North East club. These players include goalkeeper Steve Harper, strikers Mark Viduka and Shola Ameobi along with former Manchester United player Nicky Butt.

Reports earlier this week said that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is ready to hand Kinnear £12million to spend on new players in January, but whoever departs or arrives at St James’ Park in January, Owen (left) will not be a Magpies player next season.

Kinnear told the Newcastle Journal: “I've not really had a chance to talk to the players about their contracts and I don't know what is going to happen. The players who are out of contract, I have spoken to a few of their agents. They are holding back as well. They are waiting to see what their options are in January and who comes in for them. They will make a decision then.

“I'm speaking to Shola's agent on Monday so we will see what happens there, but there isn't much I can do if the players have decided they want to see what else is there for them in January.

“I just hope I can get the players in I want because if we can get them we'll be smoking.”

Kinnear, who took over from Kevin Keegan at the Toon in September has also claimed that talks are underway to bring two transfer targets to the Premier League in January at £6million each. Money that was originally thought to not be available due to owner Mike Ashley’s eagerness to sell the Premiership club.

He added: "I have had a positive meeting with him [Ashley]. I put the case for bringing players in and we are talking to some players and their agents and clubs. We have to be ready when the window opens. I would like two to three players.

"I have given them the prices. I told them two players who cost six million each, which is £12m. He said fine, leave it with me. I will come back to you. There are players available who will help us and we will have to wait and see because I don't want to say much more.

“Mike was fine with it. We have got one who is 'umming and aah-ing, but we are still banging on the door and he is still a player we have identified.

“Instead of cash the club decided they'd come in for one of our players in an exchange. That would leave us stronger in one area and weaker in another. It would be straight swap. I am not sure we would benefit from losing another player.”

Distin: Arsenal Wanted Me

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Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin has revealed that he was the subject of an approach by Premier League rivals Arsenal, but has insisted the enquiry by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was “nothing serious” and that the North London club were just checking on his situation at Fratton Park.

30-year-old Distin has also revealed that he is happy in the Premiership after arriving at Newcastle United on loan in 2001, with the central defender admitting that he didn’t think he would stay in England for more than a season.

However, Distin is now in his eighth year in the Premier League, with the Frenchman joining Manchester City in 2002 before arriving at Pompey in 2007. While Distin is happy at Portsmouth he did reveal that former club Paris St Germain has a special place in his heart and if he were to return to play in France it could only be for PSG.

When asked if a move from Portsmouth to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal had been a possibility, Distin told Foot Mercato: “There was nothing serious, just an approach in order to know what my situation was, but no serious offer.

“PSG remain in my heart, they are the club that made me grow and that educated me. If tomorrow I am to return to France, my priority will be Paris.

“The club have strengthened and are capable of beating anybody this season. I wish we played against them in the UEFA Cup!

“I really feel French but I am good in England. I arrived here by chance, for a loan with Newcastle.

“I never thought I would stay more than a season but it went well and I did stay. From now on, my career is here and I cannot see myself moving elsewhere.

“A year and a half ago, I was a free agent and two French clubs that I will not name contacted me. They just wanted information and there was nothing concrete.

“Anyway England was always my priority. I am not missing France, apart from the food and the weather (laughs). And here I am esteemed, so why leaving?

“And I will not lie, money plays an important part. So returning to France would be tough. I never said I want to leave, I am just not sure of the club’s economic situation.”

Distin also revealed that he was “disappointed” that Harry Redknapp left Portsmouth for Tottenham Hotspur in October and that Redknapp had not told him he was leaving to take charge at White Hart Lane, but insisted that you have to move on.

“Personally, Redknapp disappointed me because he did not tell us about his departure,” Distin added.

“Some players realised he had gone by watching TV in the evening or the morning after, just before the game. Then you have to move on.”

Newcastle v Stoke Premier League Preview: Can the Magpies Beat A Rejuvinated Potters Side At St James’ Park?

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Newcastle United, play Tony Pulis’ Stoke City in the Premier League at St James’ Park On Saturday.

Joe Kinnear’s Magpies go into this clash with Premier League debutantes Stoke, having drawn three, won one and lost one in their last five matches in the Premiership. Newcastle drew 0-0, last time out against Middlesbrough, in the North East derby at the Riverside Stadium, but welcomed back Australian International Mark Viduka to the side, who Kinnear hopes can score the goals to enable the Toon to climb up the table. Where they are currently in 17th place and just off the drop zone by virtue of goal difference.

Stoke will be pleased by their recent form in their first season in the Premier League, with the Potters only losing once in their last six league games to Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford. This run has seen them beat Arsenal, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion at the Britannia Stadium, while drawing away to Hull City and Wigan Athletic. This sees Pulis’ side in 14th place in the table, but still only three points of the relegation zone, with a win at St James’ Park vital if they are to steer clear of a relegation fight.

Newcastle will be without Damien Duff (groin), Alan Smith (achilles), Ignacio Gonzalez (achilles) and Joey Barton (knee) for the visit of the Potters, while Kinnear will wait to see if Shola Ameobi (ankle) and Xisco (groin) can recover in time to feature against Stoke.

Stoke are still without Liam Lawrence (ankle), but Pulis could have Ryan Shawcross (back) and Dave Kitson (knee) available for the trip to the North East in this crunch Premier League clash.

Newcastle United: (from) Given, Coloccini, Taylor, Enrique, Cacapa, Guthrie, Martins, Owen, Bassong, N’Zogbia, Gutierrez, Xisco, Harper, Geremi, Beye, Butt, Ameobi, Kadar, Edgar, Forster, Tozer, Viduka, LuaLua, Carroll

Stoke City: (from) Sorensen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Olofinjana, Cort, Whelan, Soares, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe, Kitson, Pugh, Pericard, Matteo, Shawcross, Diao, De Laet, Davies, Tonge, Delap, Diagne-Faye, Phillips, Wilkinson, Simonsen, Dickinson, Sonko

Arsenal & Spurs In Race For Want-Away Magpie?

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North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle it out for the signature of Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins, when the transfer window opens in January, according to The People.

The British tabloid claims that Nigerian International Martins is ready to leave St James’ Park due to the uncertainty surrounding the North East club, which owner Mike Ashley is currently trying to sell.

News of Martins being unsettled at the Magpies has alerted both Gunners boss Arsene Wenger along with Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who are both understood to be willing to pay the £13million buy-out clause to sign the striker and are both keen to add a striker to their squads in January.

24-year-old Martins joined Newcastle in 2006 from Serie A giants Inter Milan and has scored 32 goals in 90 appearances for United in all competitions since his arrival from the San Siro.

However, Magpies chief Joe Kinnear will be desperate to hold on to Martins, with the distinct possibility that he could lose England International Michael Owen in January due to the former Liverpool strikers deal at St James’ Park ending at the end of the season.

Newcastle To Go Double Dutch In January

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is ready to go double Dutch in the January transfer window, with the Magpies boss revealing that his main targets to bring to St James’ Park next month all ply their trade in the Eredivisie.

61-year-old Kinnear, who has just signed a six-month extension at the Premier League club after replacing Kevin Keegan in September has insisted that any players arriving at the Toon in January must be proven and better than the players he already has at his disposal.

Kinnear told The Sun: “The players we are looking at now have got to be proven. We don’t want to chance our arm with 'maybes'.

“They are all playing in Holland and I believe that whoever I have identified will be better than we have got.”

Recent reports suggest that Ajax left-back Urby Emanuelson (see video) is on Kinnear’s list along with Tim de Cler, who plays for Feyenoord and is also a left-sided player. With Kinnear identifying the Magpies left side as a weakness and is keen to add a naturally left-sided defender to the Squad at Newcastle.

22-year-old Emanuelson is a product of the famous youth academy at the Amsterdam Arena and has made 91 appearances for Ajax in the Eredivisie since making his senior debut in 2005. Emanuelson has been capped by Holland 11 times, but despite playing a major part in the EURO 2008 qualifier’s for the Dutch did not make the final squad that participated in last summers tournament that was co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland.

30-year-old De Cler is also a Dutch International and has been at Feyenoord since joining from AZ Alkmaar in 2007 and has made 32 league appearances for De club van het volk.

Kinnear Reveals Shearer Newcastle Snub As He Signs Six-Month Extension At St James' Park

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has revealed that Magpies legend Alan Shearer turned down the opportunity to join the coaching staff at St James’ Park.

61-year-old Kinnear, who took over at the Toon after Kevin Keegan resigned in September had said last week that the door was “always open” for Shearer to return to Newcastle. However, Kinnear has now revealed that the former England International felt he was not ready to step into a coaching role at the North East club.

“[Shearer] said it was a very kind offer but wasn't ready for it yet, and I said,'That's fine',” Kinnear said.

Kinnear has just signed a six-month extension to his original short-term deal at the Magpies and has now suggested that he could bring someone else in on the coaching side at Newcastle.

Kinnear added: “There's a possibility I might bring someone else in on the coaching front now.”

Shearer spent over 10 years at St James’ Park, scoring 206 goals in 404 appearances during his time with Newcastle. The former Blackburn Rovers and Southampton player had stated in September that he would like to manage in the Premier League one day, but Kinnear is unconcerned at the striker being continually linked with the manager’s job at Newcastle, saying that it is never likely to go away.

“I said he would be welcome to come in any time to give the place a lift and work with our strikers,” he said.

“It was very honourable of Alan. Speculation linking him with the job is never going to go away and we're both aware of that.

“I told him he's more than welcome here and there's not a problem, there's no aggravation between us.”

Middlesbrough v Newcastle Premiership Preview: Mido Could Feature For Boro – Viduka Close To Comeback For Magpies

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Middlesbrough play, Joe Kinnear’s Newcastle United in the Premier League at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate’s Boro side have blown hot and cold in the Premiership this season and will go into this North East derby with Newcastle on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside last weekend. The main problem for Middlesbrough has been a lack of goals, with only 15 from their 14 Premier League matches. However, despite this Boro are 10th in the table and will hope to collect all three points in the Derby with Newcastle.

The Magpies only defeat in November came at the hands of Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Kinnear starting to pull the North East club in the right direction after a shaky first few weeks in charge at St James’ Park. Newcastle will be hoping to build on a 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, but have not won away this season and are third from bottom in the Premiership.

Boro will be without Rhys Williams (knee) and Mohamed Shawky (thigh) for the derby with Newcastle, but could have Chris Riggot, Robert Huth and Egyptian International Mido available, who are all racing to be fit for this North East Derby.

Kinnear is unable to call on Alan Smith (achilles), Ignacio Gonzalez (achilles), Ngo Baheng (knee) and Joey Barton (knee), but could have summer signing Xisco and defender Steven Taylor available if they recover from groin strains. While striker Mark Viduka could also be in contention after a long layoff with an achilles problem.

Middlesbrough: (from) Turnbull, Hoyte, Taylor, O’Neil, Riggot, Pogatetz, Digard, Mido, Aliadiere, Emnes, Alves, Huth, Tuncay, Downing, Arca, Jones, Bates, Johnson, Wheater, Porritt, Owens, Hines, Grounds, Walker

Newcastle United: (from) Given, Coloccini, Enrique, Cacapa, Guthrie, Martins, Owen, Duff, Bassong, Harper, N’Zogbia, Gutierrez, Xisco, Geremi, Beye, Butt, Ameobi, Taylor, Kadar, Edgar, Forster, Tozer, LuaLua, Carroll

Magpies To Swoop For Arsenal's Denilson & Roma's Riise?

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has been linked with January loan moves for John Arne Riise at AS Roma and Arsenal’s young midfielder Denilson (below), with the pair on the top of a list already handed to Magpies owner Mike Ashley.

61-year-old Kinnear has revealed that he has handed a list of potential targets to Ashley, despite not knowing if he will still be in charge at St James’ Park when the transfer window opens or if Ashley will still be in charge at the up for sale North East club.

Kinnear has not named the targets, but did reveal one was a Roma player believed to be former Liverpool defender Riise and the other player is understood to be Gunners Brazilian midfielder Denilson.

“I have already got my shortlist ready and I will be giving it to Mike,” Kinnear confirmed.

“We need two players in as soon as possible, and I have them in mind.

“One is with Roma and he is not in the team at the moment. The other is a player who has already scored against us this season.

“We need to strengthen the team and the squad, and if we can get them, they would be a big boost because both are top-class players.”

Norwegian International Riise left Anfield for the Stadio Olimpico during the summer for £4million, but is not guaranteed first-team football under Luciano Spalletti at the Giallorossi, with Kinnear revealing that he knows it would cost £2million to bring the Roma target to the Premier League.

“I know their agents and what they would be is loan deals from January until the end of the season. I already know the player in Rome would cost us £2 million to bring over here,” Kinnear added.

However, despite Kinnear claiming to have been a regular visitor to the Arsenal training ground during his time out of management and said to have a good relationship with the Frenchman. Kinnear might find it hard to persuade Wenger to let 20-year-old Denilson leave the Emirates Stadium on loan, with the midfielder featuring in 18 of the Gunners 21 matches so far this campaign.

Newcastle Boss Kinnear Slams "Disrespectful" Trapattoni

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has claimed that Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has been “disrespectful” to the Magpies after recommending goalkeeper Shay Given to clubs in his homeland of Italy.

Trapattoni revealed earlier this week that he had told two or three Serie A sides that Given would be a good proposition for Italian football and that they could do a lot worse than try to tempt the Irish shot stopper away from St James’ Park.

This has not gone down well with Kinnear, who has already warned off Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp from Given recently. With Kinnear claiming that Given, who has been at the Premier League club since 1997 is happy at the Toon and would be the last player he would want to lose.

Kinnear told The Independent: "It is disrespectful to the club. Shay has got two-and-a-half years left here, a long contract and he is very happy here.

“He is a big voice in the dressing room and a top-class goalkeeper. He's the last person we'd want to lose.

“What was my reaction? Something like he is a very good judge of a goalkeeper. Maybe he was trying to get on Shay Given's good side.”