Kinnear admits Riise knock-back

Magpies boss made a move for ex-Reds ace

Last updated: 16th December 2008

John Arne Riise AS Roma

Riise: Wanted by Newcaslte

John Arne Riise changed his mind, but if we'd got him in then I could have done something with Enrique.

Kinnear
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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has confirmed the club failed in a move to bring John Arne Riise back to the Premier League.

The Magpies were linked with the former Liverpool defender last month with Kinnear keen to land the Norwegian on loan.

However, following Riise's return to Roma's first-team, his agent has informed the Newcastle boss his client will be staying with the Serie A outfit until the end of the season.

Kinnear was eager to bring in the 28-year-old to St James' Park and off-load Jose Enrique, although the Spaniard arguably made one of his best outings for the club in Sunday's 3-0 success at Pompey.

Despite Newcastle's improved form of late the former Nottingham Forest manager admits that he is still keen to bring in new talent if he can trim some of his squad in the process.

Like-for-like

"If we can get like-for-like then I'll lose one," admitted Kinnear in the Daily Mirror. "We've gone down that road already but I got a knock-back.

"John Arne Riise changed his mind, but if we'd got him in then I could have done something with Enrique.

"Riise's got back in the team at Roma and his agent has told us that he's happy to stay until the end of the season. I want them now, really."

Newcastle 7/5, Tottenham 15/8, Draw 12/5