Roeder Denies Covering Up Emre Racism Row

Newcastle's manager, Glenn Roeder, last night denied attempting to cover up the racism row involving Emre Belozoglu. The Turkish midfielder is facing an FA charge of racial abuse after being reported in the wake of an incident at Everton involving Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott.

Roeder entered the home dressing room after the game on December 30 to speak to David Moyes and the Everton players, but what was said is unclear and the subject of contradictory reports.

Last night Roeder issued a statement saying: "I strongly deny any suggestion of attempting or being part of a crude cover-up to anything in our game at Everton. The fact is I only felt it necessary to go into the Everton dressing room to offer an apology because from my position in the dug-out there appeared to be an ugly scene on the pitch involving a lot of players from both sides after we had been awarded a penalty."

He added: "At no time did I make any apology for racist comments because Emre had told me clearly what he had said and, while not being particularly pleasant, it was not racist."

Emre has until January 29 to respond to the allegations but the club have indicated that he will strongly deny the charge and have given their backing to the fight to clear his name. The midfielder missed the 5-1 FA Cup replay humiliation by Birmingham City on Wednesday night with a calf injury and remains a doubt for the Premiership home game with West Ham tomorrow.

Newcastle are keenly aware they need to defeat West Ham to restore pride and momentum and to buy some time for recruitment. The worry for the manager is that a defence already torn apart by injuries now has to cope with the suspension of Steven Taylor and a possible new strain picked up by Peter Ramage.

Roeder is adamant that he will buy players only of long-term worth to the club. "The squad needs defenders. That part of the team certainly needs reinforcements," he said on Wednesday night. None has materialised as yet, but yesterday he said: "I have got to be positive that I will get the signature of one player in particular I have targeted, and be positive that he would be a big success at Newcastle over the next four or five years.

"We are working hard to bring in new players but it is slow going because I want quality. I will not be making any panic buys. I could easily go out and buy a couple of central defenders who are the wrong side of 30, but that's the road to nowhere."

Speculation has centred on West Bromwich's Curtis Davies and West Ham's Anton Ferdinand, although Ferdinand is currently carrying an injury. Alan Curbishley is recruiting central defenders at Upton Park but it is understood that does not mean existing players will leave this month.

Newcastle hope to have Scott Parker back tomorrow and that could mean an unusual appearance for the midfielder Nicky Butt in the centre of defence.