Valencia boss Gary Neville has firmly denied suggestions that he told his players they were 'not fit to wear the shirt' following Sunday's 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano.

A Spanish journalist reported that the Los Che manager blasted his players in the aftermath of the La Liga clash with the capital side, but the former Manchester United defender has set the record straight.

"Surprise surprise. I accept anything that is said by the media but there is a line that is sometimes crossed," Neville, who took control of the Mestalla side last month, told reporters.

"There was a report after the game that I said in the dressing room to the players that they are not fit to wear the shirt. This is wrong and it needs to be reported that it is wrong. It is absolutely not correct. There are a lot of young players and they do not need to be reading that."

Valencia are still looking for their first league win with Neville at the helm, but the former Spanish champions are in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, with their first leg against Las Palmas taking place on Thursday night.