 NEWCASTLE United’s midfield lynchpin Alan Smith will not welcome any fresh speculation about his future before the January transfer window snaps shut. Smith has been linked with a clutch of Premier League clubs since United’s relegation and his agent Alex Black anticipates that there will be more whispers about his future before the end of the month. But he says it is immaterial because Smith, who has impressed with his attitude and endeavour on and off the pitch this season, is staying at St James’ Park. Everton are known to be keen admirers of the former Manchester United and Leeds man, while Hull City and Bolton Wanderers have also had him watched at several games this campaign. Newcastle do not want to sell him, however, and Black says that anything linking Smith with a move away from St James’ Park will not be driven by the player. “It wouldn’t be a transfer window if there wasn’t speculation about Alan,” he said. “There has been speculation in the past six transfer windows about his future. But I will say what I have always said when the question has been put to me, Alan has absolutely no interest in moving from Newcastle at all. “Anything you read to the contrary is not coming from us and it’s not coming from the club. He loves playing for Newcastle.” Smith has played a key role in turning things round this season and is known to have initiated a meeting that the players held in the wake of the 6-1 drubbing at Leyton Orient credited with bonding the squad. That contribution off-the-pitch has been matched by determination on it, with Smith enjoying an injury-free run in the team that has seen him turn in some of his best performances in a black and white shirt. He is set to recover from a head wound suffered against Plymouth in time to help United bid for their first win in four against Reading on Saturday. That game is likely to see Fabrice Pancrate dropped after a disappointing display at Home Park, although Hughton believes the French winger will come good. “It was difficult for Fabrice. What he is is a right winger, and this sort of pitch isn't conducive for somebody that you want to run at players,” he said. “If I look at their game, which was very direct and looking to play off the big man up front, the reason why they play that way is because it's a strength of theirs, and also because of the conditions.” | 
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