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Newcastle targeting more 'gems' in the transfer window

 

John Curtis
Monday 26 March 2012 15:56 BST
Comments
<b>Demba Ba (Hoffenheim to West Ham, undisclosed, 2011)</b><br/>
Senegalese striker Ba's short stint at Upton Park saw him score seven goals in 13 appearances before moving to Newcastle in the summer after releasing himself as a free agent. His goals were
Demba Ba (Hoffenheim to West Ham, undisclosed, 2011)
Senegalese striker Ba's short stint at Upton Park saw him score seven goals in 13 appearances before moving to Newcastle in the summer after releasing himself as a free agent. His goals were

Manager Alan Pardew admits he will have to try and bring in more "gems" like Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye this summer if Newcastle are to continue to compete with the Barclays Premier League's top clubs.

The Magpies are in with a genuine chance of a Champions League spot if they finish the season strongly, and are only five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham after yesterday's 3-1 win at West Brom.

Pardew recruited 16-goal Ba and Cabaye last summer and seen them flourish but knows he cannot afford to rest on his laurels.

"Is the rebuilding complete? It is never complete, we have to try and move forward," he said.

"We are trying to compete with teams that have got twice our budget, twice our wage bill, have huge investment in their teams.

"For us, we've got to try and bridge that gap with sometimes looking a little left field in terms of the transfer market.

"Myself and my staff have managed to pull a few gems but you've got to back it up and this summer.

"We've got to make sure we get it right again otherwise we will never bridge it (the gap).

"It is important we bring in the players that will take us forward. We are making sure we don't miss a Cabaye or a Demba Ba."

Pardew believes Newcastle have shown both sides of their game in battling to a win over Norwich and outplaying West Brom in their past two games.

"People say we have won with grit and now flair and you don't amass 50 points by this stage of the season without having all those qualities," he said.

"All those little things are important and, when you've got players like we have at the top of the pitch, you are going to score goals."

The only downside of the win at the Hawthorns was the hamstring injury suffered by skipper Fabricio Coloccini who is likely to be ruled out of this weekend's home clash with Liverpool.

The defender will have a scan in the next 24 hours to discover the extent of the injury.

Coloccini said: "I don't know how bad it is yet. I have a scan on Tuesday. Maybe I will miss the Liverpool game. If it's a little strain, it will be 10 days.

"I don't want to take a risk. Maybe I will get a worse injury if I take a risk and could be out for three or four weeks."

Coloccini believes the Magpies were back to their best after a sticky spell against Roy Hodgson's side.

He said: "In the last five or six games we haven't played well, but it was a great victory at West Brom.

"I think we're getting back to our best."

PA

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