Jermaine Jenas spoke yesterday of his frustration at being left out of the Newcastle first team, as manager Graeme Sounness issued a 'hands-off' warning to the England midfielder's potential suitors.

Jenas has spent time on the United sidelines recently as Souness has shuffled his pack to deal with his side's exhausting Premiership, UEFA Cup and FA Cup schedule.

His spell out of the side has not been made any easier by the fact it has coincided with the Magpies equalling a best-ever run of eight consecutive victories for the fourth time in their history.

After an impressive mid-week showing against Olympiacos, Jenas hopes he's done enough to convince his boss he deserves to keep his place for this afternoon's Premiership clash at Portsmouth.

"It's disappointing when you don't start," said United's £5m signing from Nottingham Forest. "I hate it to be honest - it's really frustrating."

Souness was quick to dismiss talk of a possible summer move to Arsenal or Manchester United for the 22-yearold, saying the rumours were a mystery to manager and player alike.

"If I was a supporter I wouldn't be too influenced by what's on the back page of certain papers," said the 51-year-old Scot.

"It is a complete mystery to him and to his agent where it came from.

"Up until three weeks ago JJ had played in every game. It has been a demanding season for him. He came in the other night (against Olympiacos) not in his favourite position but had a very good game for us."

Jenas also quashed the rumour, saying: "I am a Newcastle United player.

"There will be speculation. There always is around all sorts of players. I am flattered more than anything but of course I want to stay at Newcastle. I am a Newcastle United player. That is my job.

"It's enjoyable when you're playing well and winning

"It is very frustrating not to be playing regularly but that just shows the strength of the squad.

"We have a lot of good midfielders so I have had to sit out for the last couple of games. Nobody is happy when they are sitting out and I'm no exception. I can't do much more than I did against Olympiacos."

Jenas revealed his exclusion from the side did not come as a surprise because the United boss had let him know he was going to be left out to recharge his batteries.

The England international admitted he was far from happy about it but says he understands and respects his manager's decision.

"The manager has told me he thinks very highly of me," said Jenas. "I just have to bide my time. He picks the team.

"He said I had played something like 35 games this season and being only 22, that's a lot."

l Matt Taylor believes Portsmouth can begin a nine-match march to Barclays Premiership safety with a victory over Newcastle today.

Portsmouth are in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle after seven defeats in their last eight matches.

Defender Taylor says the visit of the in-form Magpies heralds the start of a run of winnable matches after gruelling trips to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Taylor said: ''We are six points away from the relegation zone and only need a couple of wins to get ourselves to safety. We have had a sequence of very difficult matches but we are at home to Newcastle so there is no reason we cannot pick up a result.