Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle United manager, has admitted that he will be unable to strengthen the Newcastle United squad before tomorrow’s transfer deadline. There had been speculation that Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, would provide a blank cheque book to add to a squad which Keegan has described as thin.

But after Newcastle’s failure to sign Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough and Derby County’s rejection of their £1.5 million bid for Giles Barnes, Keegan has said he is unlikely to bring any players in.

“I will be honest with you, I have sat down and looked, and there isn’t anything out there that’s going to strengthen us better than when the four players come back from the African Nations Cup," Keegan said. “They will be back with us in two and a half weeks, and there’s just nothing out there.”

Keegan has also rejected offers for strikers Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll. “I cannot let anybody go out," he said. "I have had enquiries for three players - one loan and two to sell - but I cannot do it. It would be madness. It would be impossible to sell anybody as I haven’t got enough players.”

Dimitar Berbatov and Jermain Defoe, the Tottenham Hotspur strikers, Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender and Shaun Wright-Phillips, the Chelsea winger, were all touted as possible targets.

Since he rejoined the club a fortnight ago, Keegan has so far failed to reverse Newcastle’s fortunes. They are without a goal in 395 minutes of league football and have gained just two points from their last seven games.