Jenas not for sale, insist Newcastle

NEWCASTLE have told Arsenal and Tottenham to forget about trying to sign England midfielder Jermaine Jenas after insisting he is not for sale.

The move came a day after outspoken Frenchman Laurent Robert's claim that the 22-year-old is being forced out of the club by manager Graeme Souness' transfer and selection policies.

Robert, on his way to Portsmouth this week, incurred his second fine of two week's wages - thought to amount to around £160,000 - in as many days for voicing the opinion that Jenas is ready to leave St James' Park, prompting the latest in a series of denials following speculation that the north London rivals and Manchester United are monitoring his situation.

Scott Parker's £6.5m signing from Chelsea has increased competition for places and the two men could find themselves fighting for a place in England squad ahead of next summer's World Cup Finals in Germany.

Newcastle have grown increasingly frustrated with the negative stories surrounding the club - the FA are still considering whether to take action against Robert after receiving a complaint from the Magpies and are desperate to introduce a positive note by making progress in the continuing hunt for new signings.

Their bid to land Inter Milan midfielder Emre Belozoglu appears to have stalled with finance continuing to represent a major obstacle, although there is optimism that another target could yet arrive at St James' Park.

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is understood to have sounded out international team-mates Shay Given, Stephen Carr and Andy O'Brien about life on Tyneside while they were together for the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands earlier this month.

One player who will not be at St James' next season is former Sunderland striker Tore Andre Flo after Souness dismissed speculation linking him with the club.