[theo kawala]

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder denies he has fallen out with Sir Alex Ferguson over loan star Giuseppe Rossi.

Italy Under-21 striker Rossi has not started a game for the Magpies since his loan move from Manchester United and there have been rumours circulating in the north-west that Ferguson is annoyed at the youngster's lack of action.

Rossi has managed just 41 minutes in a black-and-white shirt as a late substitute, despite Roeder's assurance to Ferguson that he would get plenty of first-team opportunities during his four-month loan deal.

Speaking to the Journal, Roeder said: "Giuseppe Rossi has made a big impression at the club.

"He's been here for a month and he's been on a few times. He couldn't play in the European games, which I accept, and he couldn't be involved at Old Trafford. That leaves four games he could have been involved in and he played in a couple.

"I'm sure that between now and when he returns to Manchester United on January 1 he will have had plenty of starts. He's made a good impression both as a player and a person."

In fact, rather than the mention of tension between Ferguson and himself, Roeder has once again refused to rule out the possibility that Rossi will stay with Newcastle for longer than four months if the Scot agrees.

Roeder added: "I can only refer to the one conversation I have had with Sir Alex. He allowed Giuseppe to come to Newcastle and he's the controller there. He said, 'I will only be loaning him to you or anyone else until January 1.'

"I haven't spoken to him since and I don't see any reason why that arrangement would have changed. We'll have to wait and see how Alex views that nearer the time."

The problem facing Roeder, however, is that Rossi is of a similar stature to Obafemi Martins, which means if the two are used together in attack Newcastle would have little, if any, aerial threat.

Roeder added: "I think we could pair the two of them (Rossi and Martins) together. At home, where we are expected to make more of the running, it could work.

"Giuseppe is such a good footballer in terms of dropping off to get hold of the ball and he knows what's going on around him.

"Oba Martins could use his speed to make some clever runs and Giuseppe would be able to slide him in. Physically, they wouldn't be a big partnership but there is definitely the potential for the two of them to play together."