Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Keegan backs under-fire Smith

11 Aug 2008 - 08:56:04

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Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has backed Alan Smith after Magpies fans booed the former Leeds and Manchester United star in the pre-season friendly against Valencia.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Everton, but Keegan has no intention of selling the former England international.

He said: "Alan Smith is a Newcastle player and that's it.

"He covers in a lot of positions, is a great lad around the place - and whole-hearted.

"He may not always be the best player on the pitch, but no one will try harder.

"I'm not going to try and tell this crowd what to do. It's a very knowledgeable crowd.

"They're the first to cheer if a player scores a goal and sometimes they show their feelings.

"They've got every right to do that, they pay their money."

Smith failed to score in 37 appearances for the club last season.