FORMER Saints boss Alan Pardew believes only Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson can say with any confidence that their players are not for sale next month.

The Newcastle manager, who saw star striker Andy Carroll leave Tyneside in January when Liverpool finally broke the Magpies’ resolve to hang on to him with a cheque for £35million, is gearing up for a battle to hang on to similarly coveted midfielder Cheick Tiote this time around.

Asked if any manager could say a player was simply not for sale, he said: “I should think Mancini could probably say that and possibly Alex Ferguson, but no-one else.

“I hate the window."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.