Former Newcastle United midfielder Olivier Bernard says Emmanuel Riviere is at his best with a strike-partner.

Riviere has been played as a lone striker by manager Alan Pardew this season.

Bernard told the Evening Chronicle: "One of the things you need to know about Manu is that he's a player that prefers to play with a strike partner. He isn't your traditional target man.

"And I think this week at Palace we saw the result of him having a team-mate a little bit closer to him.

"In his first few games he was played as a lone striker. He has been frustrated.

"He is the type of striker who likes to link up with people as a front two. At the moment it's still about easing players in.

"I know what is like to settle in when you come over from France.

"The cohesion with team-mates will come."