Pardew enthuses over French recruit

Alan Pardew believes prospective signing Mathieu Debuchy can be as influential for Newcastle United as Leighton Baines is for Everton.

The France international watched on Wednesday evening as Everton’s left-back put in a man-of-the-match performance at St James’ Park, scoring a thunderbolt free kick from 30 yards.

Debuchy has all but agreed terms according to Pardew, who has backed the Lille star to shine in the Premier League.

He told reporters: “I’m fingers crossed that he passed the medical because that will be the key to that. I hear the discussions have gone well on the finance side.

“He’s a player that we would have really needed tonight and could have made a difference tonight.

“Look at Leighton Baines tonight, take him out of Everton’s side, we might have won the game and that’s the sort of quality he is.”

Everton manager David Moyes was also quick to hail Baines’ performance and insists that the defender is establishing himself as a top player in his position alongside England colleague Ashley Cole.

The Scot said: “I think Ashley Cole is the best left-back in England and I’ve always thought Leighton Baines is behind him.

“But I said last week before we played Chelsea, I think the gap between them is getting much closer. He’s disappointed he’s not scored three goals tonight.”

Papiss Cisse scored in the second minute to give Newcastle a dream start and Pardew is hoping the Senegalese can step up and replace the goals of Demba Ba, as he nears a move to Chelsea.

“We’re hoping he has the second half of the season that he had last year where he was absolutely terrific for us and was banging goals in for fun,” the 51-year-old said.

“I thought the combination of the two of them (Cisse and Shola Ameobi) didn’t really work, so maybe we can find someone who is a bit better for Papiss.

“It’s easier said than done in this window. I don’t want to throw a negative on it. I want my guys working really hard to target what we think are realistic targets for us and we need to get one of them over the line.”

The Tynesiderst are now two points above the relegation zone following the 2-1 defeat.

“We’ve played Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton – three really top teams without our best team,” Pardew lamented.

“We have to take heart from the performances we’ve given but that isn’t enough. We need some new bodies in, we need some bodies out the treatment room and we need to get our best side back on the pitch.

“We need to bring in another body, maybe two and get our best players back on the pitch. (Yohan) Cabaye and (Steven) Taylor are getting close and we need players like that at this time.”