Alan Pardew dismisses talk of Newcastle move for Wayne Rooney

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has laughed off suggestions that he will try to sign striker Wayne Rooney from Manchester United this summer.

Harper farewell

Pardew's current focus is on Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal, when Steve Harper is set to be given the chance to bid farewell to the St James' park faithful. The 38-year-old is set to leave the club in the summer as his contract expires and will start against the Gunners with Tim Krul injured and Rob Elliot suspended. "He's been a servant of this football club for 20 years and I've managed him for two and a half seasons. "He's been an absolute superb professional in and around the place. "And it's kind of ironic that this has turned out because I think he wants to continue playing next year and I think he's well worthy of a starting place next year - but perhaps somewhere else."