Curbishley dismisses Murphy speculation

Last updated : 02 January 2006 By Editor

He told The People: "I spoke to Danny before the (West Ham) game and told him he is very much part of my plans.

"There is a lot of speculation at the moment but I haven't spoken to Graeme Souness since we signed Darren Ambrose in August - I didn't even see him at Newcastle on Wednesday - and I certainly haven't spoken to Stuart Pearce.

"If other managers are looking at my players it is natural they will look at the best ones. I can understand they are going to be looking at Danny thinking he can make a difference to their team. But also sometimes these things are put in the papers to unsettle people. Lots of conversations go on in football and perhaps someone has put something together to try and make a story."

"Danny was astonished by the way that it read and he told me he was put out by it because we are part of his plans, too."

Meanwhile, Alan Curbishley is understood by the same paper to be a fan of former Addick Lee Bowyer, but the club is struggling to match the £35,000-a-week salary he's earning at Newcastle.

The Tynesiders are believed to be preparing to ditch a transfer fee in order to allow the midfielder to leave their club.

Bowyer sold his house in the north east during the summer and is reported to want a return to London.