Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says club owner Mike Ashley deserves great credit for this season's success.

The club's policy of scouring Europe for under-the-radar talent has paid dividends and Pardew believes Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias must take some of the credit.

"Mike's put something like £273m into the club and he's not taken anything back," Pardew told the Sunday Times.

"Since I've been here I have not really shouted his corner. Politically for me it's a minefield. I want to keep the fans in a good place but I would say to them, before they get emotional about it, that Mike has invested something like 25% of his personal wealth in this football club.

"Ask me for 25% of my money and you've got no chance. I don't care how good your idea is."