Alan Smith has received backing from Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan after being booed by the home fans in the pre-season friendly against Valencia.

The former Manchester United striker has failed to score for the Magpies since joining in August 2007, and is now linked with a switch to Everton.

However, Keegan has showed no intent of selling the England international midfielder.

He said: "Alan Smith is a Newcastle player and that's it."

"He covers in a lot of positions, is a great lad around the place - and whole-hearted.”

"He may not always be the best player on the pitch, but no one will try harder.”

"I'm not going to try and tell this crowd what to do. It's a very knowledgeable crowd.”

"They're the first to cheer if a player scores a goal and sometimes they show their feelings.”

"They've got every right to do that, they pay their money."