NEWCASTLE have failed in a bid to take Michael Mancienne on loan until the end of the season.
Joe Kinnear wanted the talented centre-half, 20, to bolster his hapless defence but Chelsea have rejected the deal.
They do not believe Mancienne, who unexpectedly broke into Fabio Capello’s England squad this season, will develop at St James’ Park.
Blues boss Phil Scolari recalled Mancienne from a loan spell at Wolves and feels he will make the progress he needs working with Chelsea’s first-team squad.