BEATTIE? NO IDEA WHERE THAT CAME FROM!

By Matthew Jones
December 27 2004

Southampton striker James Beattie has been linked with a move to St James' Park in recent days, but Newcastle manager Graeme Souness said yesterday, "I have no idea where that came from".

The England international was also linked with a move to Tyneside during Sir Bobby Robson's reign as Magpies' boss, and had been branded by many as the ideal replacement for Alan Shearer - who is due to retire at the end of the season.

GRAEME SOUNESS THOUGH, SAID: "I have no idea where that came from.

"There will be speculation, in Tyneside there is a story and a rumour every day.

"We are hoping to do things when the window opens and hopefully it is more than just one player.

"We are after good players and clubs will not want to sell their good players easily.

"We have been linked with several other people but we are not going to broadcast what we are attempting to do.

"We are attempting to improve our squad and have offers on the table for several players but we will see what pans out in January."