Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has promised there is much more to come from midfielder Damien Duff after warning Roy Keane he is not for sale. Roeder was quick to respond to speculation that his £5 million signing could be a target for the Sunderland boss this summer.
Keane played down a series of links with big-name players but in case he needed any confirmation over Duff's availability, Roeder was unequivocal.
He said: "The speculation surrounding Damien Duff and a move to Sunderland is utter rubbish. There is not an ounce of truth in it. Damien is at Newcastle United for the long haul. He only signed a five-year contract last summer."
Roeder has, however, vowed to weed out the under-achievers within his squad and chairman Freddy Shepherd has signalled there will be cash available to strengthen.
Roeder is hoping Duff will rediscover his best form. "In the last couple of games he has probably looked our best player, as well as being outstanding for Ireland in their last two games. I fully expect Damien to finish the last seven games of the season very strongly for us.
"I am putting a squad together here of my own players and players that I want to be here for the long haul, and Damien is one of those."
Keane, meanwhile, has played down the mounting speculation over his summer transfer targets. The former Manchester United skipper is already being linked with a string of names, many of them one-time colleagues at Old Trafford, as his side fights for an immediate return to the Premiership.
In the last few days, reports have suggested Diego Forlan - who reportedly turned down an approach from Sunderland - Wes Brown and also Duff. However, Keane was giving nothing away as he prepared for Saturday's promotion showdown with Wolves.
He said: "Over the next few months and if we were to get promoted, I am sure over the summer we are going to be linked with lots of players. But I do not know where these stories come from. I have not made any inquiries for any players."
Chairman Niall Quinn has already indicated a transfer kitty of around £10million will be made available by his Drumaville consortium even if they do not go up. However, promotion and the resulting revenue from Sky could mean a major fighting fund if they do return to the top flight.
Keane said: "I keep saying, we will have a better idea come the end of the season what league we are in and what type of players we can get in. But we trained yesterday and I have got a squad of 20-odd players who I am very happy with and they are looking very strong. I am always looking, but we cannot get anybody at this moment in time.
"But before the last transfer window, I did not make one inquiry because I am delighted with the players I have got."
