WEST HAM will demand £18m for Michael Carrick if Newcastle intensify their interest in the Geordie midfielder.

The Magpies made a discreet enquiry about embryonic England international Carrick after Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Hammers at St. James' Park.

But Upton Park boss Glenn Roeder yesterday insisted that the 20-year-old product of Wallsend Boys' Club is "not for sale''.

Roeder stressed: "Michael still has four years left on his contract and he's going nowhere. If he was ever to move, it would be for a king's ransom.

"Having played for and captained Newcastle, I know what the feelings are up there.

"I can appreciate that a chairman like Freddy Shepherd just loves having a Geordie manager in Bobby Robson, a Geordie skipper in Alan Shearer and a Geordie first-team coach in John Carver.

"But the fact that Michael Carrick is also a Geordie just doesn't come into the equation.''

Premiership leaders Arsenal also covet Carrick, who has won two England caps.

But the Hammers have privately made it plain that they would only entertain thoughts of cashing in on Carrick if an offer to match the £18m they received from Leeds for England defender Rio Ferdinand was forthcoming.

Robson used the presence of Carrick as an incentive for Magpies midfielder Kieron Dyer in the weekend clash.

Dyer performed indifferently in opposition to Carrick in the first half, but raised his game after the break.

Robson revealed: "I said to Kieron at half-time, 'Who wants to go to the World Cup, you or Carrick? That's the challenge, go out and show you want it more'.''

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