Roeder plays down Parker reports

Parker was made Newcastle captain following Alan Shearer's retirement

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has dismissed speculation linking Scott Parker with a move to West Ham and insists his skipper will not be sold.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been linked to a swap deal with Hammers captain Nigel Reo-Coker.

But Roeder said: "This talk looks as though it is coming out of east London and it is an attempt to unsettle Scott.

"This makes me angry but when I read that stuff on Sunday morning, I took it as being nothing more than a joke."

The former Charlton midfielder, who scored the Magpies third goal in the 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday, worked with new West Ham manager Alan Curbishley during his time in charge of the Addicks.

I can see Scott Parker being captain of Newcastle for many years to come Glenn Roeder

Roeder added: "I did not make Scott Parker my captain to succeed Alan Shearer as the leader of this club to sell him.

"I can see Scott Parker being captain of Newcastle for many years to come."

Roeder also denied claims that Lyon's Norwegian international striker John Carew is a transfer target.

He said: "One of my best friends in football management is Gerard Houllier at Lyon and if I was interested in signing John Carew, he would have been the first one I would have talked to.

"I have not talked to Gerard because I am not interested in Carew."