da bwin： Alan Pardew is set to put his emergency search for a striker on hold for 90 minutes against Arsenal.
da prosport bet： The Newcastle United boss, still stunned from losing top-scorer Andy Carroll, was rocked further this week after Shola Ameobi was ruled out until April with a broken cheekbone.
And with the transfer window now closed for business, Pardew can’t deal with the 35 million pounds picked up for Carroll’s move to Liverpool until the end of the season.
Instead, he has been forced to scour the free-agent list, which includes former Arsenal starlet Jeremie Aliadiere.
Pardew said: “I’m looking to boost the squad and there are a couple of names.”
“Maybe they aren’t ones who will make an impact from the start, but they can contribute something from the bench.”
Pardew, however, insists his side’s mental state is good enough to take on the Gunners.
He added: “There’s still a good feeling here.”
“I looked at some paper reports and they said we were looking dejected on the pitch because of Andy’s departure.”
“That’s ridiculous. He’s out injured and wouldn’t be playing even if he was here.”
“He hadn’t played in the four games before that and there has been a good feeling on the pitch.”
Newcastle have also announced that the game with Arsenal is heading for a near-53,000 sell out.
And Pardew added: “Every match is very important for us, but there is no problem with the resolve and the quality in this group. We have no doubt about what we can achieve.”
“I haven’t had to lead them. They are a good, strong group and know that in football there are situations and times of adversity.”
“There are also times when you have to pull together, and I don’t think that’s going to be an issue on Saturday – not at all.”
“We were obviously disappointed with the result at Fulham, so we’ve done a lot of work to prepare ourselves for Arsenal.”
“It’s a terrific game and will probably be a sell out, or close to it, so it will be a cracking atmosphere.”
“We’re really looking forward to it.”
Pardew is likely to play young striker Nile Ranger in place of injured Ameobi for the big clash on Tyneside, while midfielder Chieck Tiote returns from a ban will go straight into the starting line-up.