Jewell rubbishes Barnes exit talk

Derby boss Paul Jewell rubbished claims the club have sold teenage star Giles Barnes to West Ham for £5million.

Barnes was linked with a move to the Hammers over the summer, with an apparent £3.5million offer rejected at the time, and now it has been suggested boss Alan Curbishley has finally landed the 19-year-old, who will move to Upton Park when the transfer window opens next week.

When asked about the Barnes deal, Jewell replied: "Very nice. It's a nice Christmas present - I just wish I knew about it. Maybe Santa Claus will drop the cheque down the chimney!"

He added: "But I know nothing about it. What I do know for a fact is that I have not had any contact with any club about Giles Barnes.

"Until the phone rings or somebody tells me differently, then I can't say any more about it."

Barnes further raised his profile at the weekend with his first Premiership goal to open the scoring in a 2-2 draw at Newcastle.

But Jewell has again reiterated Barnes is far from the complete player, adding: "He scored a great goal on Sunday, and I hope he scores a few more goals for us.

"But he arguably cost us one as well by trying to do a fancy trick in the box when maybe a cross would have been more beneficial to the team.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about Giles Barnes, but that's where he has to learn. He has a long, long way to go.

"He has potential - bags of it, but he is only 19 and has a lot of improving to do, although I am pleased with the effort he is putting in."

Tottenham have confirmed they will complete the signing of Wales defender Chris Gunter from Cardiff when the transfer window opens in January.

The 18-year-old full-back has made 33 first-team appearances and won three Wales caps since breaking into the Bluebirds first team in August last year.

The two clubs reached agreement over what is reported to be a £2million deal last week and the player underwent a medical over the weekend.