Alan Smith: no Boro move

Alan Smith will not be leaving Newcastle to join Middlesbrough, according to the player's agent. The Newcastle forward has fallen down the pecking order at his current club.

"That's the first I've heard of it," Alan's agent Alex Black told setantasports.com of reported interest from Middlesbrough.

"There were a lot of clubs interested in Alan but whether clubs are or aren't interested in Alan it doesn't matter. Alan is happy where he is."

Smith is expected to be an integral part of Kevin Keegan's plans for the next couple of seasons.