UNDER-pressure Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has come out fighting over recent speculation surrounding his tenure on Tyneside.

Reports circulating this week suggest chairman Freddy Shepherd has offered Sam Allardyce the chance of reviving United's flagging fortunes next season.

Allardyce quit his position at Bolton Wanderers last Sunday, stating the time was right to stand down, a decision which has fuelled speculation that the former Trotters boss is in line to take over at either Newcastle or Manchester City.

The lack of both support for Roeder by Shepherd or a denial about the speculation will be disconcerting for the likeable Londoner.

Shepherd offered Allardyce the United position after he dismissed Sir Bobby Robson three years ago.

He turned it down, but the 52-year-old later acknowledged that the job at St James' did appeal. The revelation brought short shrift from the United chairman at the time, who made known he would not be offering the post to someone who had turned it down.

Roeder, meanwhile, revealed he has had no assurances from the club's supremo, but insisted he does not need any.

"I've had several meetings with the chairman recently and there are more planned. All we're doing is talking about what we're looking to do next year on all topics, not just players," said the United boss.

"This club, for whatever reason, is a soft, easy target for speculation, whether it be players or managers.

"Sol Campbell has started the open season and by the time we get to the end of August, when the window closes, it will have run to not tens of players but hundreds of players. It's the same with managers."

Speculation surrounding Campbell's apparent desire to join Newcastle, so he can be with his Tyneside-based girlfriend, has come as a surprise to Roeder.

The 32-year-old defender spoke with United last summer, but Roeder did not take up the option to sign him on a free transfer as he believed he was the wrong side of 30.

He subsequently joined Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, where he has revealed his undoubted England class this term.

The Newcastle manager admits he is in the market for an experienced defender to nurture the fledgling talents of Steven Taylor, with Liverpool's Sami Hyypia another linked with a move to Tyneside this week.

"I've not spoken to Sol and I'd be shocked if Sol has gone above my head to speak to the chairman, I'd be disappointed with that," said Roeder.

"I've always said I've got a policy of buying players aged 26 and under, but I'm not against one or two players over 30 with a good CV, who will act as a role model, with a first-class character and attitude.

"I'm not surprised we're being linked with them both."

Newcastle face Blackburn this afternoon looking to win their first game on home soil since February's 2-1 victory over Liverpool in a bid to lift the cloud hanging over the terraces in the club's final home fixture this term.

Roeder acknowledged there was a despondency among the Geordie faithful but said they were not alone.

He said: "I wish I could have taken 52,000 fans through the dressing room after we lost (against Manchester City) and shown them what it means. Scotty Parker, who was criticised a few weeks ago, was gone, not just about the criticism but about losing.

"Nicky Butt's another. After losing in the UEFA Cup he was the last to turn the lights out. He didn't want to leave the dressing room.

"He was probably thinking that he's not going to play in Europe again, so there must not be a perception it's just the fans who are despondent about what has happened this year.

"There will be a couple who don't care but that is the same at every football club, but the majority of our players are devastated when they lose. They know what it means to the supporters."

Roeder added it is unlikely the team will partake in a customary lap of honour, but insists the players must acknowledge 'the best supporters in the world'.

He said: "I've told you why I think they're the best, and not just in this country, I mean in the world.

"To get the amount of supporters we do despite not winning a domestic trophy since I was born in 1955 is brilliant.

"There are still over 50,000 at every home game. That would not happen at any other club in the world."