Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder says he is hoping to make up to “five or six” summer signings to bolster his squad before the new season starts in August.

"We need to add to the squad," the former West Ham boss told BBC Radio Five Live.

“We've already lost one or two players. Alan Shearer has retired, Lee Bowyer and Michael Chopra have gone. That's three players down straight away.

“We won't be signing anybody this week, but we're talking to players. I hope we'll have a couple of new faces. Maybe there will be five or six in total,” said Roeder.

“It's important for the players we have that they see us bringing in new faces over the coming weeks."

Meanwhile, Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, has dismissed reports suggesting that the former Republic of Ireland full-back Stephen Carr had requested a transfer.

“I have spoken to the player and his agent and the story is simply not true,” Roeder told the Newcastle club website.

“Stephen is a member of our first-team squad, he is an experienced, international player. He will be back with the rest of the first-team squad when they return for pre-season training later this month.”

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