Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says a new striker signing is a priority.

Pardew is particularly keen to recruit a proven striker with Aston Villa's Darren Bent, with whom he worked briefly at Charlton, among his targets.

He said: "We are strong in some areas and weak in others. I think it would be nice to strengthen in some areas.

"The obvious target is a striker and we have four or five targets.

"It is difficult, because I know there is speculation, particularly about Darren Bent."