Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has refuted suggestions Alan Smith is set for a move to Premier League rivals Everton.
Keegan left the combative striker out of his squad for the friendly against Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
That sparked speculation the England international would soon be heading for the St James' Park exit door.
However, Keegan insists that he was merely resting Smith and has no plans to sell the former Manchester United forward.
"With Alan - he's got a sore ankle," he said.
"I haven't risked anyone in this game and I knew when I left him out it would cause questions, but he's got a sore ankle and I can't treat him any different to anybody else.
"You saw me bringing players off every time they get a knock.
"Every time the doctors or the physios come to me and say, 'Habib Beye - 50 minutes is enough', I've stuck with that.
"I haven't risked anybody, which I think is right and it's given me a chance to give some other people a bit of time."
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Comment 1 - 8 of 8
How Alan Smith managed to play at Manchester United I will never know. I've never rated him and he's done nothing at our club to justify the £7m fee.
Alan Smith Is Good When You Give Him The Chance, But He Was Never Going To Get That Chance At Manchester United Or Newcastle. This May Sound Stupid But He's Fit In Perfectly At A Championship Club And He'd Probably Do This Season What James Beattie Did Last Season.
I totally agree Alan Smith is rubbish he should be sold
selling him to a rugby team mite be good for his career!
he came to us a ruined footballer he needs games upfront and he will come good cos he aint no midfielder
Alan Smith is rubbish, a lunkhead footballer, not an athlete. Keegan should offload him as soon as possible.
you mean stop getting more cards than goals?
alan smith will come good if hes allowed to play free
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