Roeder Pulls Out Of Move For Defender!

The 28-year-old international was said to be on his way to the north-east from his club's winter training camp in Tel Aviv to seal a loan move.

But Roeder has pulled out of the deal, on the word of some unknown person, who has told Roeder to stay well clear.

Roeder: "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 at St James' Park.

"But, while Gavrancic is not coming, that 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."