Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has denied there is a clause in Darren Bent’s contract that requires them to pay Sunderland £3m when the striker makes 50 league appearances for the Midlands club.
And the Villa chief insisted he has received no inquiries for the out-of-favour forward – and that the England international has not handed in a transfer request.
The 28-year-old has so far clocked up 47 appearances, and has not featured on the bench for the past two matches since returning from injury.
Lambert said: “Have there been any enquiries for Bent? No. Has he asked to be put on the transfer list? No.
“Is there a clause? That’s not true. I’m not sure where that came from.
“I answered about 105 questions (on Bent) the other night. The team I pick will be the team that will go and try win us the game and that’s the way I’ll always be.”
VOTE ON Pardew's 'Stability' (Or Lack Of It)!
He may have a eight-and-a-half year contract, but will Alan Pardew see it out? We ask YOU to vote!
The last time we lost four Premiership games on the trot was the season we were relegated ... and the signs are not too removed from that horror season.
How often have we heard in the last two weeks those words of wisdom: "Chelsea have had nine managers in nine seasons; and Everton have stuck with David Moyes for ten years!"
But the facts are -
a) Everton have won nothing in those ten years.
b) Chelsea have won the title three times (been runners up four times); the FA Cup four times; League Cup twice ... oh yes, and won the Champions League once and lost the final (to penalties) once.
So in that one history lesson we have learnt that "stability" in management doesn't mean jack shit!
We ask you ... how long do you think Alan Pardew will stay in the job at St James' Park?
PLEASE VOTE:-
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp
NEWCASTLE UNITED FC 2012/13
Newcastle United Fixtures
Monday December 3 20:00 Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic
Thursday December 6 18:00 Bordeaux v Newcastle United
Monday December 10 20:00 Fulham v Newcastle United
Saturday December 15 12:45 Newcastle Utd v Manchester City
Saturday December 22 15:00 Newcastle United v QPR
Wednesday December 26 15:00 Man Utd v Newcastle United
Saturday December 29 17:30 Arsenal v Newcastle United