EPL transfer news: Alan Pardew pleads for new signings

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew on Wednesday admitted he is pushing the club's director of football Joe Kinnear to bring in new signings immediately.

Kinnear was controversially put in charge of Newcastle's transfer strategy instead of Pardew after being hired by Magpies owner Mike Ashley last month.

The former Wimbledon boss vowed to implement Newcastle's recruitment plans swiftly after holding talks with Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

However, the Magpies went into Tuesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal without a single new signing.

Pardew's squad has shrunk after the departures of Shane Ferguson, Steve Harper, Danny Simpson and James Perch and, with the new Premier League season just three weeks away, he is getting increasingly desperate for Kinnear to make a splash in the transfer market.

"I'm pushing Joe to get a transfer in. I think we need a boost now," Pardew told the Newcastle Chronicle.

"We are in a situation where we want to progress now. The team is in a good place."

Pardew's main focus for improvements has been his forward line and Newcastle remain keen on both Lyon's Bafetimbi Gomis and Aston Villa's Darren Bent.

Long-serving striker Shola Ameobi scored Newcastle's equaliser on Tuesday amid rumours he could leave before the start of the season, but given his lack of strength in depth, Pardew is reluctant to allow that to happen.

"Shola is a player that is under contract here. He's not made any noises to me that he wants to leave," Pardew said.

"Certainly with my striker situation at the moment, I need as many as I can get."