Royle kills Kennedy rumours - November 22, 2000
Manchester City manager Joe Royle has rubbished rumours that Mark Kennedy is on his way to Spurs in a swap for Chris Armstrong.
The speculation started when Kennedy failed to reappear for the second half of Saturday's Manchester derby - but Royle said: "Mark is not for sale, full stop!"
"I am his biggest fan and I have been delighted with him since his move from Wimbledon," the City manager added. "He was very unfortunate to be taken off at half time in the derby game. I had to get another striker on and Mark was the unfortunate sacrifice. He certainly didn't deserve to come off.
"It's a squad game. He wasn't happy to come off and I fully sympathise with that, but you can only have eleven on the pitch at one time."
Kennedy admitted that he was surprised to be substituted.
"I thought I was playing quite well against United and was surprised when the gaffer told me I was being taken off but hopefully I will be back against Ipswich on Saturday," he said.