Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew hailed hat-trick hero Demba Ba after victory over Blackburn Rovers.

The Senegal international's claimed his first goals for the club after, in his manager's opinion, finally shaking off the after-effects of fasting during Ramadan.

Pardew said: "Let me just say, the investment we have had in the team, which has been significant in terms of the squad, is there for all to see - and we have still got Davide Santon to threaten this team and we have still got [Hatem] Ben Arfa, who had a little cameo today, so we are a strong side.

"My look at the strikers is, 'Okay, prove to me that I don't need to get one', and I think they have taken that challenge on.

"Especially the two who played today played at a very high standard. They are not the most glamorous of names yet, but they did very, very well today.

"Demba has had a slow start here, mainly because of Ramadan in my view.

"But strikers thrive on goals and that confidence that Demba is going to get from those three goals here in front of the Toon Army will have done him a power of good."