The Newcastle manager, Kenny Dalglish, has dismissed rumours that Ian Rush is to retire at the end of the season.

Recent reports have suggested that the former Liverpool striker would hang up his boots next summer. But Dalglish has insisted that the player's comments had been misconstrued.

Rush: Hopeful of a coaching role

Rush, on a one-year contract at Newcastle, is hoping to move to another club when his current deal runs out, possibly to a lower-division club where he says he would be happy to take on a coaching role.

"Rushy is 36 and naturally his future playing career is not as long as his past," Dalglish said.

"He stated the obvious and it got out of hand, with people having to explain what he meant when he talked about his future last weekend.

"I'm sure there are no complaints about that, it's just that a misinterpretation about what he said upset him."

Impressive start for Italian defender

Dalglish tipped defender Alessandro Pistone to play a part in Italy's World Cup bid next summer after an impressive start to his career in England.

The Newcastle boss said he believes Pistone's hopes of breaking into Italy's senior squad are not being damaged by playing away from his own country. He is currently Italy's under-21 captain.

"He's only 21 and has a tremendous future in front of him," said Dalglish.

"I don't think he'll be too far away from his country's World Cup squad."

"Alessandro's done very well for us. He's had to settle down here and has suffered a couple of injuries on the way, but his football hasn't been affected by all the upheaval."
 

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