Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew insists he's not freezing out Danny Simpson.

Pardew opted to play Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa - usually a centre-back - at right-back against Metalist Kharkiv, leaving Simpson on the bench.

But the Toon boss told the Evening Chronicle: "Danny's available.

"I have to say that Danny wants to show people he's a Premier League player.

"So Danny's in the frame, yes - he will have a role to play."