Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has accused midfielder Charles N'Zogbia of trying to force a transfer by claiming to be insulted by him.

Kinnear appeared to mispronounce N'Zogbia's name as "Insomnia" during a TV interview on Wednesday after Newcastle's 2-1 loss to Manchester City.

"I wish to apologize to the fans for wanting to leave the club," the 22-year-old N'Zogbia said. "However, having been insulted by Joe Kinnear, I will never play for him again while he remains Newcastle manager."

Kinnear said he had just been "tongue-tied."

"I couldn't believe it when I was told Charles had issued a statement claiming he was insulted, apparently for nothing more than me mispronouncing his name in a post-match interview at Manchester City," Kinnear said.

Kinnear said N'Zogbia has been pushing for a transfer _ despite no other clubs expressing an interest.

"Sadly, this just smacks of a desperate attempt to engineer a move away from Newcastle United _ a club that gave Charles the chance to play in the Premier League and which has rewarded him handsomely during his time at St. James' Park," Kinnear said.