Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits Jak Alnwick could've quit at the start of the season.

Pardew said the rookie keeper, who spent a season with Gateshead, made no secret of his 'disappointment' in his manager and his desire to play.

Luckily for Alnwick, who is out of contract at the end of the season, Pardew blocked the loan move and he will play against his former club Sunderland in the 151st Tyne-Wear derby today after recovering from a shoulder injury.

"You had to admire him really,' said Newcastle boss Pardew. "He wasn't really in a position to bang the door down - we'd just won four games in a row and it was before Tim Krul's injury. But Jak's contract is up in the summer."