Alan Pardew has not seen any signs that Demba Ba wants to leave Newcastle, while he is keeping an eye on Blackburn's Junior Hoilett.
Newcastle boss confident striker will stay and monitoring Hoilett
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has not seen any signs that Demba Ba wants to leave the club, while he is keeping a 'close eye' on Blackburn's Junior Hoilett.
Ba has been strongly linked with a move away from the Magpies this summer as he has a buy-out clause in his contract which can be activated up until the end of July.
However, Pardew is confident that Ba will remain on Tyneside after speaking to the Senegal striker since his return to pre-season.
Ba has asked to be given some indication about where he will be expected to play this season, having spent the second half of last term in more of a wide role to accommodate the prolific Papiss Cisse.
And Pardew has assured the 27-year-old that he should have the opportunity to play through the middle on a regular basis.
Pastures new
"I've not seen any sign from Demba since he came back that suggests he wants to find another club. I don't sense that at all," said Pardew in the
Daily Mirror.
"I genuinely don't see a situation where he wants to move on. He has not stressed to me he wants to move to pastures new.
"He has said to me he wants some reassurance from me. He wants a more striking role this season and I think he will."
As well as trying to keep hold of all his key players this summer, Pardew is keen to strengthen his squad before the start of the new season.
Blackburn winger Hoilett has been linked with a host of clubs following their relegation from the Premier League, and Pardew admits he is monitoring the player's situation with interest.
"Wherever he ends up, we're keeping a close eye on that because he's a good player," added Pardew.
