Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear called his Arsenal counterpart and friend Arsene Wenger to ask if he interested in Charles N'Zogbia. He said: "I have spoken to Arsene Wenger and he said he's not interested in any of my players, so I don't know where the agent is coming from.

"We are looking into it. If it is true, then the agent is being disrespectful. He's never had the decency to explain anything to any member of this football club.

"It's laughable, to be honest. It's absolute nonsense.

"Charles is under contract until 2012, and I told him on day one that he was a very important player.

"He's been in the team, and has done very well. He's 60-40 to play tomorrow - and I hope he does."