Ba refutes transfer claim and Carroll staying put

While Newcastle boss Alan Pardew considers ways of improving his defensive ranks during the January transfer window, his attacking intentions which have caused the biggest stir.

Pardew, back in the market for Paris St Germains Mevlut Erdinc, has regularly maintained during the last fortnight that he is no longer in the hunt for a new striker.

It now appears, though, that he will be carefully weighing up the options available to him on the transfer front, knowing the right offer could come up in the next few weeks that would suit the club.

But Newcastle are playing down claims Carroll has been targeted, just 12 months after he moved to Liverpool in a £35m deal.

Crucially, the Geordie striker has also explained through his agent, Mark Curtis, that he is happy at Liverpool and that he is not looking for another transfer.

Carroll's poor form he has scored just six goals since his deadline day switch almost a year ago has led to suggestions Newcastle have attempted to bring him back in a cut-price deal.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was dismissive last night when asked about whether the rumours could unsettle the striker.

"I am worried about the people that invent them," said Dalglish after his team won 1-0 at Manchester City. "You have absolutely no foundation whatsoever (for the stories). I don't need to justify what is in the paper. I have stood up and always will stand up for the players."

Turning the argument around on journalists at his post-match press conference after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg win, Dalglish added: "You justify your profession and you justify the story."

Newcastle intend to strengthen their defensive ranks above all else this month, but would be forced in to a change if their attempts to retain Ba fail.

However, the Senegalese international is publicly maintaining he has no desire to leave St James' Park this month, despite strong interest in him from around Europe. His 15 goals have alerted a number of top clubs, who are aware that there is a clause in his contract that would allow him to talk to interested parties if a fee is met.

But Ba has reacted angrily to claims from Armand Doorn, who had been described as his representative, that he could move to Manchester United.

Doorn said: "A lot of clubs are calling for Demba. At this moment we are doing it [transfer negotiations] with his brother, before we did it alone and now we do it with his brother. It is true Manchester United, it's true but nothing concrete.

"No manager [has] called me and said Armand, can we sit down and everybody is asking how much his release clause is, but nothing concrete."

However, Doorns comments have hit a nerve with the player.

Ba reacted on Twitter last night by stating: "Really, I don't know how desperate this 'armand doorn' can be to talk like he's my agent! He's nothing for me. Stop lying and show respect."

Pardew is keen to retain Ba and there is talk of a new contract being drawn up aimed at keeping the African on Tyneside.

A new deal would not include a clause, which was included because he moved on a free from West Ham in the summer.

Newcastle do need all the attacking options they can conjure up this month, given that Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi is now facing several months on the sidelines.

Ameobi, who has been operating as a winger, suffered a knee injury on reserve team duty during Tuesday's victory over Wigan.

It represents a blow to Pardew, who is already having to plan for the rest of January and possibly February without Ba, who is on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The Newcastle boss, meanwhile, has been made aware of further interest in his full-back Danny Simpson.

The right-back, who has 18 months remaining on his contract, is keen to stay at Newcastle, but is interesting Everton and Fulham.

• James Tavernier has been asked to return to Newcastle after his loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls' attempts to extend the deal have been blocked because they have been using him right-midfield rather than right-back.