LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has attempted to scupper any move by Newcastle United to land Peter Crouch next month.

The Magpies are planning to offer the England striker an escape route out of Anfield after he slipped down the Reds' pecking order.

Crouch has been the subject of heightened transfer speculation since cutting a forlorn figure during his side's 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park on Boxing Day.

But Benitez insisted Crouch remained an integral part of his plans.

"I can be very clear - we do not want to sell Peter Crouch," said Benitez.

"He is working hard and the only thing you can do with a striker in this situation is continue to support him. If he continues to work as he has been doing, I will be happy.

"'You can never say you are really pleased with the strikers because it is important to take your chances. But the important thing to say to all of your strikers is just to keep going."

Benitez remains keen on Valencia striker David Villa having had a bid of £8m rejected over a year ago, and with Dubai International Capital's takeover at Anfield yet to go through, the Spaniard must raise his own cash for any moves during the January transfer window.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder refused to dismiss talk of a move for Crouch saying: "As far as I am concerned, there has not been a deal even spoken about.

"At this moment in time it is pure speculation and I would be surprised if he ended up becoming a Newcastle player.

"I said a month ago when I was asked, he is very talented and certainly deserves his place in the England team, in my opinion.

"Some stories have said it was £12m! How do we arrive at that sum?"

Roeder, however, did acknowledge the club were intent on bringing new faces to the club before the end of the January transfer window.

"We (Roeder and chairman Freddy Shepherd) have had good private discussions that we're not prepared to go public about," said Roeder, who has been linked with teenage duo Gareth Bale at Southampton, and Derby's Giles Barnes.

"For the good of Newcastle supporters it is best we don't go public about them. Why would we want to tell the world who we want because that might alert other clubs to the player. It would be madness to go public about our targets. It affects everything including the price."

Newcastle approach the halfway stage of the 2006/07 season in 11th position having been in the bottom three just six weeks ago.

Although United have managed to steady the ship, further progress in the second half of this campaign appears to depend on how ambitious the club are in next month's transfer window.

"Everyone knows the importance of staying in the Premiership, getting into the Champions League or UEFA Cup," said Roeder, looking to bounce back at Everton today after the Boxing Day defeat at Bolton. "It is a good time to evaluate how you are situated and are you going to have a real go for it?

"Are you going to push on or are you going to stabilise? These are the thoughts of every Premier league manager. We'd all probably like to sign three of four players, and times that by 20 and it is 60 to 80 players. I don't know if there are 60 to 80 players out there good enough to play in the Premiership.

"I don't think there will be that many teams in the Premiership in the market to buy. And there will be a few clubs who can't even afford to take loans because of player' salaries."

Roeder once again reiterated his policy of buying for the club's long-term future and won't be rushed in to a panic buy.

He added: "I ran out of time during the last transfer window because of the type of player I thought would give us service. I like to come to work and be with people who want to be here. I don't want to be working with players I wish I had not signed.

"If I did, it would mean I didn't do enough research about his personality or ability. The three things I look at in (Obafemi) Martins, (Damien) Duff and (Antione) Sibierski is that they will give us good service."

Meanwhile, Kieron Dyer celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday with a glowing tribute from his manager who believes the best years of his playing career still lie ahead of the skilful midfielder.

Dyer has spent the last 18 months at United trying to solve a persistent hamstring injury.

He said: "I don't think he owes the club anything because he hasn't wanted to be injured. I know footballers these days are highly paid but the bottom line is, they like playing football.

"I'm sure he would like to repay the club in a manner, over the next four or five years, where supporters see the best of Kieron Dyer playing."