Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is delighted with the impact of his young players in recent weeks.

Pardew admits he has had to "lean" on fringe players like Mehdi Abeid, Sammy Ameobi and Ayoze Perez of late.

He said: "The younger players have been magnificent. I'd have been surprised to name this team at the start of the season.

"But I've leant on them, they've worked hard in the background all this time and we are getting our rewards."

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