Alan Pardew's current priority is to avoid relegation after successive defeats over the festive period left Newcastle United just three points above the relegation zone.

Eager to reach the 40-point mark which has secured survive in all but one of the Premier League seasons since the division was reduced to 20 teams, Pardew is also taking comfort from the fact he has players to return from injury.

"I've never looked away from the bottom if I'm honest, and I think every Premier ...

Read more