Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says he's happy to call on Danny Simpson.

Pardew has been annoyed by what he regards as "unfair criticism" thrown the way of Simpson.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "I just think he's a good defender.

"I think he's had some unfair criticism in terms of improving the team by replacing Danny.

"I actually don't agree with that, especially defensively.

"We wouldn't have had the problems we had at Reading if Danny had been fit."