Alan Pardew's new Crystal Palace deal 'agreed in principle'

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has confirmed he has verbally agreed terms on a new contract with the club.

But the 54-year-old says he is waiting for Palace to be safe in the Premier League before finalising and signing the deal.

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The Eagles are currently 13th in the Premier League, eight points clear of the relegation zone after a disastrous run that has seen them fail to win in nine league games, losing six of them.

Pardew signed a three-and-a-half-year deal when he took over in January 2015 and began talks over an improved contract before Christmas, when Palace were in the top six.

"They've progressed to a level where we are probably agreed," he said ahead of the Saturday Night Football trip to West Brom, live on Sky Sports 1.

"I am just waiting to see whether we are still a Premier League club, and that's nothing to do with Steve Parish, it's more to do with me.

"When I get this team over the line I'll sit down and finalise it. It's agreed in principle."

Pardew left Newcastle to join Palace just over a year ago. He began his managerial career at Reading, where he returns in the FA Cup quarter-final in several weeks' time.

He said: "I am looking forward to going back there - it's where I began my managerial career and I've still got some great friends there.

"Obviously Brian McDermott was my chief scout and Nicky Hammond, who was my goalkeeping coach, is there still as technical director."