Alan Smith is furious after Newcastle attempted to offload him to north-east rivals Middlesbrough behind his back.
Magpies boss Joe Kinnear agreed to swap the injury-prone 28-year-old, who has been out for the past three months following an ankle ligament operation, for Boro striker Mido.But Smith claims he was never informed talks were taking place.
A friend told The Sun: 'Alan's really angry about this. He has been working hard to regain his fitness and wants to do well — at Newcastle.
'He is back in training and should be ready for selection by the end of the month.
'He does not want to go anywhere else.'