Alan Pardew is ready to stand his ground at Newcastle United.

The Daily Mail says Pardew will not be forced out by the arrival of Joe Kinnear as director of football at St James' Park.

Kinnear's appointment was confirmed by the club yesterday as the 66-year-old met Pardew for lunch in the North East. Despite some provocative statements from Kinnear over the past 48 hours, Pardew is adamant that he will not quit when only last year he signed an eight-year contract.

But the 51-year-old is believed to be on increasingly shaky ground because owner Mike Ashley has reservations about his ability.