Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has hit out at the targeting of his foreign players in recent games.

Much of the criticism has been levelled at Newcastle's reliance on French players amid suggestions that some members of the overseas contingent do not understand the gravity of the situation into which the club has slipped.

However, Pardew insisted that was nonsense.

He said: "I just find that accusation insulting, if I am honest. If you think because some of our players are from a foreign country, they are not bothered, it's just ridiculous.

"Of course they are bothered. Our frustrations and our professionalism are on the line. But we have our destiny in our own hands, no-one else, and only we can put it right.

"We have got a little gap and we need to exploit that and make sure we extend it."