NEWCASTLE United chairman Freddy Shepherd yesterday emerged from clear-the-air talks with Kieron Dyer and maintained that the England starlet is not for sale.
Rumours continue to abound that former Ipswich midfielder Dyer, signed by Ruud Gullit nearly two years ago for £6m, is dissatisfied with United's summer transfer moves and feels the club are showing a lack of ambition.
The £6m signing of striker Craig Bellamy from Coventry and free-transfer return from Bolton of left-back Robbie Elliott, have been the only incoming deals since the end of last season.
Leeds are said to be ready to test Newcastle's resolve to hold on to 22-year-old Dyer by lodging a £20m bid.
But Shepherd, who met Dyer and his agent Jonathan Barnett, has told the player he is staying on Tyneside.
Shepherd confirmed: "I have had a long, frank and amicable discussion with Kieron and his agent, during which I reiterated Kieron's future lies with Newcastle United.
"Kieron is an integral part of the future of the club and I reiterate once again that our ambitions more than match those of Kieron.
"For once and for all, Kieron Dyer is not for sale."
Dyer will miss the start of the season while he recovers from surgery for a shin stress fracture, but manager Bobby Robson has reported he is "flying in training and feeling extremely good''.
l New England Under-21 coach David Platt has revealed his dream to eventually succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson and take charge of the senior national side. The one-time England captain is determined to seize the opportunity he has been given via his new role to move closer to achieving that long-term goal
Platt had little hesitation in quitting his job as Nottingham Forest manager to become Howard Wilkinson's successor.
He took up his new duties with the Football Association in Soho Square yesterday and admitted: ''It was an easy decision for me and I always knew that I would say 'yes' from day one. The word opportunity stuck out for me. It's something I've always wanted to do, managing my country. It's Under-21 level but it has been made clear for a long time that the FA are looking to groom someone to be senior coach. It's what they want to do.''
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