Pardew warns clubs off his players

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has warned other clubs off his players in a bid to keep the nucleus of his team intact.

The Premier League side endured a disappointing campaign in 2012-13, finishing in 16th place, and Pardew is hoping to keep his squad together to improve on their performance next season.

“I feel we are in a strong position financially to hold on to our players,” he told the Evening Chronicle.

“If one of our top players goes, it will be a bid that blows the doors off. That’s it.”

Following Newcastle’s second-worst Premier League showing last time out, Pardew indicated that he wants to improve the quality of his playing staff in the coming weeks.

“We are strong in some areas and weak in others. I think it would be nice to strengthen in some areas,” he added.

“The obvious target is a striker and we have four or five targets.

“It is difficult, because I know there is speculation, particularly about Darren Bent.”

Newcastle have already began their pre-season preparations and will take on Motherwell in their first friendly on July 16.