Gary Speed will be Everton's skipper at Leicester tomorrow despite reports that he is set for a big-money switch to Newcastle. The Welsh international has been linked with a move to Newcastle and a £5 million swap deal involving Darren Peacock.

Although there was contact between the clubs a week ago and an aborted £3.5 million bid, Everton have moved swiftly to deny claims Speed was in talks with the North Easterners.

An Everton spokesman said: "It is absolute nonsense. Gary is definitely not involved in any talks with Newcastle."

It's no secret that Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish has been chasing the 28-year-old but it is believed that neither camp would be prepared to do business before the clubs meet in the FA Cup third round at Goodison Park on January 4th.

Kendall has been searching all week for reinforcements to his threadbare squad and accepts he has to generate his own capital for transfer moves.

He said: "It looks like we will be going into the weekend with the same players. I started off on Monday with high hopes but as the week has gone on, nothing has come to fruition."

If Kendall could get £6 million for Speed, or a couple of players in part-exchange, he would be forced to consider doing business.