Newcastle urge ticketless fans not to travel amid security fears

Alan Pardew applauds the fans after Newcastle’s win over Stoke (AP)

Newcastle have urged fans without tickets not to travel to the club's vital Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan on Saturday amid security fears.

Earlier this week, manager Alan Pardew urged as many supporters as possible to make their way to the DW Stadium to roar their side on in what could prove a crucial game in the Magpies' bid to achieve a top-four finish.

The Latics later moved to insist that there would be no increase in the visitors' 4,500-ticket allocation and expressed concern about travelling fans attempting to buy seats in the home stands.

However, Newcastle today issued a statement advising supporters without tickets to stay on Tyneside.

It said: "With regards to our Barclays Premier League fixture at Wigan on Saturday, Newcastle United would like to make it known that all tickets for the away section of the DW Stadium have sold out.

"As with all away fixtures, we would like to remind our fans not to travel to the north-west for this weekend's game unless you have a match ticket for the away section of the stadium."

Pardew's men will run out at Wigan defending a six-game winning streak which has taken them into fourth place in the table.

A seventh successive three-point haul would send them to Champions League finalists Chelsea next Wednesday knowing a repeat there could prove hugely significant.

Newcastle are currently three points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham and a further point better off than the Blues in sixth.

PA