Source: Northern_Echo
Carroll staying – but will Harry sign Leon?
ALAN PARDEW last night reiterated that Newcastle United will not be selling Andy Carroll this month before cheekily claiming that Tottenham could now turn to hattrick hero Leon Best instead.[LNB] On the day it emerged Tottenham have made formal contact at boardroom level with Newcastle for Carroll, Best filled the void in style for the injured England international by scoring his first goals for the club in a comprehensive 5-0 win over West Ham United at St James' Park.[LNB] It was a victory that leaves the Magpies sitting eighth in the Premier League, with Pardew looking to add to his squad rather than reduce the size of it before Saturday's FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage.[LNB] Tottenham's David Bentley is among the leading contenders to arrive on Tyneside, while their chances of landing Robbie Keane appear to have diminished following news that Birmingham are in talks over the £7m signing.[LNB] But Pardew revealing Cheik Tiote, Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Jonas Gutierreez (knock) are all doubts ahead of the weekend could not hide his satisfaction at the way his players performed in the absence of both Carroll and Shola Ameobi (ankle).[LNB] I said when you lose a big, big player, and Andy is a massive player for this club, that people need to step up to the plate and we have done that as a squad, said Pardew.[LNB] On Andy, we will give the answer to any club that contacts us this month that Andy is not for sale.[LNB] Harry Redknapp (Spurs boss) has not rang me directly.[LNB] Whether there has been a connection above me I don't know, now knowing Harry he might make an inquiry for Leon Best. But I can't say strong enough that Andy will not leave this window.[LNB] Best, who moved from Coventry last January for £1.5m, had not scored in 12 months but looked like a striker intent on making a point to a new manager last night.[LNB] And Pardew, the former Hammers boss who was sacked in 2006, said: Leon has been knocking on my door telling me he has not had an opportunity. He has been here a year, I said there's no goals, no assists, what is there to keep about you'. He kept telling me he could do it.[LNB] He has a good record in the Championship but is unproven at this level. Like all players, there's a snobbish opinion that they will not be good enough if they step up, but there are players who can play if they have the belief. He had a brilliant night.[LNB] But Pardew, who completed the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa yesterday, is keen to push owner Mike Ashley to release the funds to sign more new players.[LNB] I have nine people in the injury room. That leaves us desperately short, said Pardew, after witnessing his team win 5-0 courtesy of Best's hat-trick and a goal each for Kevin Nolan and Peter Lovenkrands.[LNB]
