Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is now simply concentrating on avoiding relegation. Saturday's 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion took the Magpies six points above the dropzone with four matches left.

Pardew told the Chronicle: "All we need to do is get over the line. I don't care if we finish one from bottom, I really don't.

"If we can get over the line, our fans know we have a good group of players. When everybody is fit and we can get one or two new signings in there we are a top-10 team. There is no doubt about that.

"We are having a season when everything has gone against us."

Pardew also accepts Newcastle's packed season is starting to take its toll as his injury list mounts.

He added: "You have to remember it was our 50th game at professional level.

"We have lost so many players to injury, we are missing Coloccini and Santon and Krul.

"The impact on the group has been such we are having one of those seasons."