Newcastle: Roeder 'deal off'

Glenn Roeder has pulled out the loan signing of the international defender announced yesterday.

The player, revealed to be Serbian international Goran Gavrancic, will not be joining Newcastle after Roeder got cold feet about the deal.

He said: 'I have conducted my own investigations into Gavrancic and decided he is not a player we will be signing
'I have been told by people I respect and who know what they are talking about that he is no better than the defenders we already have.'

But Newcastle fans will be left slightly baffled by these statements, whilst it's true that the standard of defenders in our squad needs to be improved most of them are currently on the treatment table anyway. Signing such a player would surely, at least short term, added some vitally needed depth to the squad.

And Roeder will be aware that he could end up with egg on his face if he doesn't make any signings soon. If the injury crisis continues throughout of the rest of the season Toon fans are likely to be less sympathetic towards Roeder and his chairman if they fail to strengthen the squad while they have the chance.

Roeder, however, is still bullish about his dealings in the transfer market: 'While Gavrancic is not coming, this does not mean we have slackened off in our efforts to bring a couple of players in before the transfer window closes next Wednesday.

'The four or five players we have targeted are still with their clubs, and I can put my hand on my heart and honestly say that we have not wanted any of the players who have already moved in the transfer window.

'I can only repeat what I have already said and that is I will not panic or lose my nerve, and I will not bring players in for the sake of adding another body to our squad.'

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