Pardew keeps sights on top six

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has challenged his players to keep themselves in the hunt for a top-six finish after making a major move in the transfer market.

This week's capture of Senegal international striker Papiss Demba Cisse, a deal which is understood to have cost the Magpies close to £10million, represented a statement of intent by owner Mike Ashley with the club sitting in sixth place in the Barclays Premier League table.

Pardew admitted earlier in the campaign that expecting his side to maintain their fine start over the course of the season was unrealistic because of the gulf in finances between them and the leading clubs.

However, while Cisse's influence will not be brought to bear until he returns from the African Nations Cup along with key men Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote, the manager insists Newcastle will give it everything they have got to upset the established order.

He said: "The more it goes and the closer it gets to the end. I have said all along, that last six games, if we can find ourselves in with a shout, there might be less pressure on us, so we could make an impact.

"We are, after 21 games, the sixth best team, and that's what we can try to improve on. It would be an absolute marvel if we finished sixth or fifth, but we are going to try, and see where it takes us."