Former Fulham midfielder Lee Clark has waded into the row over Glenn Roeder's impending appointment as Newcastle manager.

The 33-year-old midfielder hit out after League Managers Association chief executive John Barnwell warned that the Magpies' successful attempt to win special dispensation to give Roeder the job would open the door to "the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker".

Barnwell's comments sparked fury on Tyneside, and not just within the four walls of chairman Freddy Shepherd's office.

"For the LMA to say this is an insult to Glenn Roeder, and we in the Newcastle United dressing room are very disappointed at the continued negative remarks coming from them," said Clark.

"Glenn Roeder has been in football all his life. He has captained an FA Cup final team, he has coached England, he has managed four teams.

"And by the way, he was struck down by a bad illness which saw his life at stake when he was actually on Premiership duty and was halfway through his Pro Licence when it all happened.

"If these are not extenuating circumstances, then I do not know what are.

"I also know that Glenn Roeder is a very good football coach and he has proved he is a good manager - and he also happens to be a great guy.

"The Newcastle United dressing room cannot understand what the LMA is up to."

The LMA opposed the decision to allow Premier League chairmen to give Newcastle permission to appoint Roeder even though he does not have his UEFA Pro Licence.

However, dispensation was granted on Wednesday after the Magpies revealed they had secured the two-thirds majority they needed, and Roeder will be unveiled at a press conference on Monday.