Pardew talks down Newcastle link

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is insisting that Marlon Harewood is going nowhere.

The striker has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle, however this is now very unlikely as Pardew seems adament.

West Ham have Teddy Sheringham, Marlon Harewood, Dean Ashton, Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole all wanting a first team place, something that will be tough for all of them and also bound to cause some unhappiness amongst the group.

"Marlon is going nowhere," said Pardew to The Sun.

"He is staying put at West Ham.

"I am not interested in selling him or any of my strikers to anyone.

"West Ham have a very busy season ahead.

"The group stages of the Uefa Cup will put a strain on our squad so we need everyone."

Boateng speaks his mind

Middlesbrough ace George Boateng has spoke his mind over the current transfer situation.

Boateng feels that if Middlesbrough are to challenge for a European place then they will need more players.

Last season Middlesbrough did outstanding in Europe and they are hoping to push for that again by gaining that vital European place through the Premiership.

"We need more players if we are to challenge for a European place," said Boateng in The Sun.

"We have a good side but more players would help us do the job."

More signings for Blackburn

Mark Hughes is still looking to add to his Blackburn Rovers squad before the transfer deadline.

The latest signing has been of striker Benni McCarthy but Hughes doesn't plan on stopping there as he admits they are working hard to make the squad even stronger.

Francis Jeffers and Jason Roberts are other players who have signed for Blackburn this summer and by the looks of things, Blackburn are going to be quite a force in the coming season.

"We still want to bring in some more players," said Hughes in the Daily Star.

"I'm happy with the way the squad is shaping up and we've got strength and pace in various areas.

"But we're working hard to make the squad even stronger.

"I'm delighted to have got Benni because he has a lot of experience, having played in Holland, Spain and Portugal.

"He will bring something different to the team.

"I'm pleased with the business we've done so far."

Gerrard admits nightmare

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he's glad to have new signing Craig Bellamy on his side.

The midfielder admits that he's had some previous run-ins with Bellamy on the pitch, but also insists the team need characters like that.

It's a dream move for Bellamy but people have been quick to jump on the band wagon of bad voices stating Bellamy will be a bad influence along with Pennant. However, only Bellamy can prove them people wrong and he'll sure be looking forward to the new season.

"As a player he's a nightmare to play against, horrible," said Gerrard to The Daily Mirror.

"It's funny because I've had a few run-ins with him on the pitch and I think I'll be reminding him of that.

"But, believe me, I'll be glad to have a player like that on my side. We need characters like that on our team.

"To win the league and other trophies, you need to have characters who have also got the quality - and Craig has definitely got that.

"As a player, you can be too nice. All the best players are top quality but they also have the character to go with it, that's what I like in a player, and what I like about Craig.

"Maybe we have been a bit nice as a team in recent seasons but we are toughening up, and we are becoming a very difficult side to play against. That's what we need if we are going to win the title."