Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits he was convinced about signing Jack Colback after his performance for Sunderland in last season's derby win at St James' Park.

Pardew has added to Sunderland's sense of loss by admitting that Colback's man-of-the-match showing on Tyneside was the motivating factor behind their summer steal.

"Jack's performance in the derby was one of the reasons I signed him," he said.

"The way he played on those big occasions told me a lot about the player. When I like a player and he performs in the big games it ticks a lot of boxes for me.

"He has been a major thorn in our side in these fixtures so I'm just pleased he's not playing for Sunderland if I'm honest."

The United boss added: "I think he feels a bit aggrieved about the way it ended at Sunderland.

"But I think he's handled the move impeccably because he took a bit of criticism after it and he didn't respond, which I think is the right thing."