Soccer: Newcastle have reportedly rejected a Tottenham bid for their England striker Andy Carroll. Spurs have been tracking 22-year-old Carroll for some time despite Newcastle manager Alan Pardew having repeatedly insisted he is not for sale.
The Londoners have nevertheless tabled a formal bid - reports on Saturday suggested it was €30 million - but Press Association Sport understands they have been told Carroll will not be leaving St James' Park ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.
Carroll has established himself as one of the hottest properties in English football this season with 11 goals to date following his key role in the club's swift return to the Barclays Premier League.
His form won him a first senior international cap in England's 2-1 friendly defeat by France in November.
Carroll has missed the club's last five games with a torn thigh muscle which has proved more problematic than was first thought, and he travelled to Sweden on Friday to consult a specialist.
Pardew has already ruled him out of Wednesday night's trip to Fulham and admits he is touch and go for Arsenal's visit to Tyneside three days later.
It was his header which secured as famous 1-0 victory over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on November 7th, a win which increased belief that the Magpies could retain their top-flight status.
They currently sit in ninth place in the table with 30 points from 23 games, but knowing that there is still work to be done before they can start planning for an extended stay.
In that context, and despite the efforts of Shola Ameobi, Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and Nile Ranger in his absence, Carroll's retention is seen as vital, although interest in him is sure to mount if he continues in the vein of form he was enjoying until injury struck.
