Glenn Roeder has dismissed reports linking Newcastle with a £12million January move for Peter Crouch as 'pure speculation'.
The England international has become a high-profile victim of Rafa Benitez's rotation policy at Liverpool and has been linked with a possible New Year switch to the injury-plagued Magpies.
With Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen injured, and Giuseppe Rossi returning to Manchester United, reports in the English media claimed on Friday that the North East club were lining up a £12million swoop to give added depth to Roeder's frontline.
However the Newcastle chief insists there is no deal in the pipeline and that talk of a potential transfer is wide of the mark, even if he is a confirmed admirer of the unconventional striker.
"Someone knows more than I do. As far as I am concerned, there has not been a deal even spoken about," Roeder insisted.
"Secondly, I really hate managers talking about other managers' players.
"Peter Crouch is a Liverpool player and I do not think Rafael Benitez would appreciate me talking about Peter Crouch when he is not a Newcastle player.
"At this moment in time, it is pure speculation and I would be surprised if he ended up becoming a Newcastle player.
"I said a month ago when I was asked, he is very talented and certainly deserves his place in the England team, in my opinion.
"But anything outside that would be unfair to Liverpool and the manager there."
Benitez recently insisted he has 'no plans' to sell Crouch, who has seen the partnership of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy restrict his chances at Anfield in recent months.
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Crouch: I won't be going
Peter Crouch has outlined his determination to stay at Liverpool and hopes to have given Rafa Benitez something to think about.
The striker has been heavily linked with a £12million move to Newcastle United after struggling to dislodge Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy from the starting line-up.
But after scoring a stunning goal as the injured Bellamy's replacement against Bolton on New Year's Day, Crouch voiced his happiness at Anfield.
"I've heard all the speculation and all I can say is I'm happy here and love playing for the club," Crouch told the Liverpool Echo.
"It's a fantastic club, all the games are massive and I wouldn't want to leave.
"I see my future here and as long as the manager doesn't want me to go, I won't be going."
Benitez had been critical of Crouch's performance in the Boxing Day defeat at Blackburn Rovers, but the England international is determined to respond positively to his manager's comments.
He added: "I've had challenges throughout my career and this is another one. There are a lot of players who get rotated and I'm not the only one.
"When you get a chance, you've got to take it. Hopefully I've given the manager something to think about.
"It can get frustrating when you want to play every game and do your best for the club, but all you can do is keep working hard.