Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has told his young players - if you're good enough, you're old enough.

Pardew is adamant that he'd never judge a player by his birth certificate.

"I've never really had an issue with a player's age. I think I signed Teddy Sheringham at 37 and I think I put Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in at 16, Mark Noble at 16. Jack (Collinson) at 17," he told the Sunday Sun.

"It's never been an issue for me. I've always thought that if a player is mentally ready and able then they can play."