Newcastle United manager Glen Roeder has refused to deny an interest in Liverpool striker Peter Crouch with the January transfer window approaching, although played down speculation he could try to land him

Speaking earlier today,  Roeder said: "If you were to ask me what I think of Peter Crouch, I would say he is a striker who, over the last four or five years, has improved out of all recognition and is certainly worthy of his place in the England team.

"You can draw your own conclusions from that as to whether I would like Peter Crouch at Newcastle or not.

"But the speculation, I have not got a clue where that is coming from and I would assume Peter Crouch at Liverpool and in the Champions League and in the England team, is a very happy young player."

Newcastle have been ravaged by injury this season with a number of key players currently out including Emre, Nolberto Solano, Damien Duff, Shola Ameobi, Stephen Carr and Crouch's England team-mate Michael Owen and would no doubt welcome onboard a striker who has proven his ability to find the back of the net with Liverpool.