Newcastle rubbish Sven link

A report today claimed the Swede is being lined up for the hot-seat at St James' Park as another difficult season draws to a close.

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However, Shepherd was swift to issue a terse denial.

He said: "Is it April Fools day today? Any talk of Sven-Goran Eriksson - or anyone else for that matter - coming as manager to St James' Park is sheer and utter garbage.

"I have not spoken to Sven since he left the England job and I have no intention of speaking to him.

"Neither have I spoken to his agent Athole Still nor Tord Grip, and as far as I am aware, they have not approached us.

"In any case if they did, it would not matter a jot because we already have a manager."

It is not the first time Eriksson, who left the England post after last summer's World Cup finals campaign, has been linked with Newcastle.

His assistant Tord Grip was at Monday's 0-0 Barclays Premiership draw with Arsenal, although he was on Tyneside as the guest of Gunners vice-chairman David Dein.

Newcastle currently lie 10th in the Premiership table after a season which has failed to live up to expectations amid a crippling injury crisis.

However, Roeder and Shepherd are already planning for the new campaign as they target the men they believe the club needs to move forward.

Michael Owen's return to action alongside fellow long-term absentee Shola Ameobi in a secretive behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday came as a further boost with both men on course to play again before the end of the season.