Anxious times for Pardew
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed that Joe Kinnear delivers him new signings over the next week regardless of what happens with Yohan Cabaye.
The France international midfielder will not be involved in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup trip to Sky Bet League Two Morecambe as the Magpies await developments in Arsenal's pursuit of a man for whom they have already had a B#10million offer rejected.
But whether or not the Gunners eventually come up with a figure to suit owner Mike Ashley - Newcastle's valuation is around double the only bid to date - Pardew is hoping his director of football will finally make a much-anticipated breakthrough with loan signing Loic Remy the only new face to have arrived on Tyneside since his appointment.
Kinnear insisted earlier this week that the management team at St James' Park had agreed before the season started that the squad was big enough and strong enough to finish in the top half of the Barclays Premier League table, but Pardew is desperate to add to it.
The manager said: "Even without the Cabaye situation, that's something we know we have to try to do.
"I think we have done a good bit of business with Loic Remy, I really do. From that point forward, it's a good start and we need to finish it off."
The Magpies have been trying to land a striker for much of the summer, but missed out on Darren Bent after stalling on a deal and have as yet been unable to push through a move for Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis.
However, should Arsenal prise Cabaye from Pardew's grasp, there would be another sizeable gap to plug, and Newcastle have been linked with Wigan's Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy as a potential replacement.
Pardew declined to confirm whether or not Cabaye had refused to play in the opening two games of the season in the wake of Arsenal's approach, and was unwilling to elaborate on a situation which has left disgruntled fans fearing the worst.
But ultimately, that particular decision will be made above his head and he was philosophical when asked about the possible consequences.
He said: "The answer isn't as simple as a 'yes' or a 'no'.
"The answer is here he is either going to be sold and we are going to have to replace him in the window that we have left, or he's going to stay.
"In both situations, I as the manager have to protect him and protect this football club more importantly, so the first thing on my agenda is the football club, trust me, and that will always come first while I am the manager here."
In the short term, Pardew's focus will be on progressing in the Capital One cup courtesy of a first victory of the season, although one he knows will not come easily.
He said: "As a manager, you want to win the first game - but we won the first game against Tottenham last year and actually, that clouded some issues for us.
"I think our issues are very much open this year. We have not hidden from them, they are there. We need to get one or two players in, we know that.
"We need to resolve the Cabaye situation and we need to win a game and hopefully in the next eight days, most of those will be resolved."
Morecambe striker Padraig Amond insists Newcastle hold no fear for the SkyBet League Two club as they look to inflict more woe on Alan Pardew's men.
The Shrimps will have their evening in the spotlight with a record crowd expected at the Globe Arena for a second-round clash which will also be televised.
While the 25-year-old Amond knows whatever starting line-up Pardew opts for will pose a serious challenge, he believes Morecambe should not be overawed by their opponents.
Amond told Press Association Sport: "I actually watched the game the other night against Man City (when Newcastle lost 4-0) and obviously Steven Taylor got sent off so it looks like he could be missing and they've picked up a couple of little injuries.
"They're obviously a really, really good team with Premier League experience for a number of years now so it's going to be a very tough game, but there's no pressure on us, all the pressure's on them, they're expected to beat us.
"There's no-one really that we're scared of or anything like that. We're just all really looking forward to the game."
Asked if Morecambe would like to capitalise on a difficult first few weeks for Newcastle, Amond added: "We'd like to take advantage of it. But there's no pressure on us at all."
Source: PA
Source: PA