Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits keeping Kevin Nolan silent will be crucial against West Ham United.

Pardew says his own club's problems are due to his foreign contingent not yet being battle-hardened to the demands of the English top flight.

He admitted: "One of the problems I face with this group is not a language problem or a cultural problem.

"It's been one of inexperience on the pitch.

"What Kevin has is a real knowledge of how to win games in the Premier League.

"West Ham's manager, Sam Allardyce, has that too and that's what we are up against.

"Nous is a word I used a lot about Kevin as he used to find positions on the pitch. Just through his own nous, he is sniffing chances out and he is a worry for us.

"They've also got the likes of James Collins, Mark Noble and Matt Jarvis. These are also players who I know very well and who are very experienced in the Prem."