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Joe Kinnear today insisted he never meant to offend Newcastle United’s influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye.

Kinnear says that the written Press made a meal out of his reference to what sound like “Yohan Kebab” during his fiery interview with Talksport last week .

The Newcastle director of football claimed that his ill-fated interview with the radio station hadn’t gone ahead as planned.

Kinnear had been told that fellow former Wimbledon boss Bobby Gould had been the man supposed to be asking the questions – and not ex-Soccer Am man Andy Goldstein.

He said on Sunday: “I did it as a favour and I am so disappointed.

“I was on air and he switched me to the other presenter.

“I thought I was going to speak to Bobby about the old days.”

Speaking on the reference to Cabaye he said: “Yohan is a brilliant player and I didn't pronounce his name right.

“But I didn't say "Kebab".

“I said "Keba" and they put the "b" onto it.

“They made a meal of it, no pun intended.

“Typical journalists, but it is my own fault and I regret what I said about the supporters.”

Kinnear also stated that his claim of winning three manager of the year awards was referring to the LMA award in 1994, Sky Sports manager of the year award in 1996 and Daily Mirror accolade a year later.