Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has been reassured that he will not be forced to sell players in January.

A number of Magpies stars, including Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Charles N'Zogbia and Steven Taylor have been linked with a move away from St James' Park in the winter transfer window.

Kinnear said: "The only reason I would move players out is if they wouldn't be regulars in the first team.

"In any case, I wouldn't be thinking of moving anybody out until I got players in because of the injury situation we've got at the moment.

"We've quite a few players who are long-term injuries, so I definitely need to go out and get new faces in the next transfer window, and that's what I intend to do."

Kinnear is concentrating on the upcoming clash against Stoke, adding: "I am toying with the idea of having a look myself at Stoke in their Carling Cup quarter-final with Derby County tonight, but a lot depends on the weather.

"But whatever happens we will have tonight's game well covered.

"And while I always say it is all about us and how we play on Saturday, it never does any harm having up-to-date information about the opposition."