Steve McClaren: 'No Charlie Austin bid'

Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has insisted that he has not lodged a bid for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin.

The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to the Magpies after netting 18 Premier League goals last term as Rangers were relegated back to the Championship.

QPR manager Chris Ramsey recently claimed that he was hopeful of including Austin in his squad for Saturday's curtain-raiser away to Charlton Athletic.

McClaren also joined the Newcastle board upon taking the reins in June, and the 54-year-old stressed that no offer has been made for the hitman.

"No, we haven't made a bid," he told BBC Sport. "I can say that as a board member."

United get their Premier League season underway on Sunday by hosting Southampton at St James' Park.