Sunderland owner Ellis Short has turned up the heat ahead of their clash at Newcastle United.

Sunderland owner Short was heard launching an astonishing verbal tirade towards Pardew before the North-east derby at the Stadium of Light in October.

The Daily Express has been told that just before kick-off, Pardew spotted Short and offered a handshake, but the American tycoon said: "Why don't you just f*** off?"

Short, who fired manager Martin O'Neill last week from his home 7,000 miles away in Hawaii, felt Pardew was at fault after both managers squared up pitch-side during last year's clash at St James' Park.

Short's outburst astonished both Pardew and the Newcastle boardroom and his behaviour has cranked up the stakes for tomorrow's derby.