Glenn Roeder has dismissed reports linking Newcastle with a
£12million January move for Peter Crouch as 'pure
speculation'.
The England international has become a high-profile victim of Rafa
Benitez's rotation policy at Liverpool and has been linked with a
possible New Year switch to the injury-plagued Magpies.
With Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen injured, and Giuseppe Rossi
returning to Manchester United, reports in the English media
claimed on Friday that the North East club were lining up a
£12million swoop to give added depth to Roeder's frontline.
However the Newcastle chief insists there is no deal in the
pipeline and that talk of a potential transfer is wide of the mark,
even if he is a confirmed admirer of the unconventional
striker.
"Someone knows more than I do. As far as I am concerned, there has
not been a deal even spoken about," Roeder insisted.
"Secondly, I really hate managers talking about other managers'
players.
"Peter Crouch is a Liverpool player and I do not think Rafael
Benitez would appreciate me talking about Peter Crouch when he is
not a Newcastle player.
"At this moment in time, it is pure speculation and I would be
surprised if he ended up becoming a Newcastle player.
"I said a month ago when I was asked, he is very talented and
certainly deserves his place in the England team, in my
opinion.
"But anything outside that would be unfair to Liverpool and the
manager there."
Benitez recently insisted he has 'no plans' to sell Crouch, who has
seen the partnership of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy restrict his
chances at Anfield in recent months.