MIDFIELD dynamo David Dunn today slammed speculation linking him with a money-spinning move to Newcastle by insisting: 'I've no intention of leaving Ewood.'

Stories emanating from the North East claim Magpies chief Bobby Robson is ready to weigh in with a multi-million pound offer for the England Under 21 midfielder.

But speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, the 21-year-old starlet is adamant he is going nowhere.

And that message has been reinforced in the strongest possible terms by Rovers' top brass.

"Obviously, it's flattering to be linked with a big club like Newcastle but I'm perfectly happy at Blackburn," said Dunn.

"I've just signed a new four-year deal so that shows I am happy here.

"If I wasn't happy at the club then I wouldn't have signed it, so I've no intention of going anywhere."

The rumour mill gathered momentum yesterday when the Magpies' veteran midfielder Rob Lee handed in a transfer request, prompting suggestions that Robson was ready to move in for Dunn.

But both Ewood chief executive John Williams and manager Graeme Souness have dismissed the link out of hand.

"It's absolute nonsense. No-one has made a call to me so there's nothing in it as far as I'm concerned," said Souness.

And Williams added: "We haven't heard anything whatsoever and nor do we expect to.

"But if we did, then David's not for sale anyway."

Meanwhile, Souness and his squad are busy preparing for tomorrow's clash against West Ham at Ewood (kick-off 2pm).

And, though the Hammers got thumped 5-0 at Everton on their last Premiership outing, the Rovers boss is taking nothing for granted.

"West Ham are a team who play football in the correct way as far as I'm concerned," said Souness.

"I know people will say they got walloped last time out but in this league anyone can beat anyone else at any given time.

"I want to impress on my players that we are playing a team who went to Old Trafford and won in the FA Cup last season.

"And I think we have to approach every game in a similar way.

"There's no easy games in the Premier League regardless of whether or not a team is on a bad run."

As we revealed yesterday, Keith Gillespie and Damien Duff have both failed to prove their fitness in time for the game.

But Henning Berg is back in the squad again after missing the midweek win over Middlesbrough with a foot injury.

And, with Lucas Neill also back in contention after being cup-tied against Boro, Souness has plenty to ponder before naming his starting 11.

"As a manager that's what you want. We are trying to build a squad here which is going to stay together for a very long time.

"And if we have everyone fit then we will have selection problems but it's a nice problem to have.

"As a manager, you just pray you make the right choices more often than not."

Marcus Bent completes his three-match ban tomorrow but Alan Kelly will remain on the bench instead of John Filan after asking to be taken off the transfer list during the week.

"I think it's only fair that I alternate them as substitutes," said Souness.

The Rovers squad is: Friedel, Curtis, Short, Johansson, Bjornebye, Mahon, Johnson, Tugay, Flitcroft, McAteer, Dunn, Hughes, Grabbi, Hignett, Jansen, Neill, Berg, Kelly.