Steve McClaren "100% committed to Derby County"

Steve McClaren has insisted that he is "100% committed" to finishing off the job at Derby County.

Recent reports had suggested that the former England head coach had turned down an offer to take charge of Newcastle United as they bid to secure their Premier League status.

When asked about that speculation, McClaren refused to comment, but he did stress that he wanted to remain at the iPro Stadium, where his side lost 3-0 to Reading on Saturday afternoon to end their hopes of qualifying for the Championship playoffs.

"I reiterate what I said on Saturday straight after the game and what I've said to the board and the players yesterday - I'm 100% committed to finishing the job here," he told Sky Sports News.

"After the disappointment of the weekend, it's a big job and something that over the next three or four days we're planning to put right.

"I hear the speculation, I see it, but I'm 100% committed to Derby County at this point. I wouldn't be talking and planning [if I didn't want to stay]."

McClaren, 54, was appointed Derby manager back in September 2013.