Pardew confident Ba will stay at Newcastle

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew remains confident that striker Demba Ba will stay at the club this summer.

The 27-year-old scored 16 league goals for the Magpies last season and is reportedly the subject of interest from several clubs due to the presence of a release clause in his contract.

Pardew admits the Senegal striker is keen to play in a more central role next term, but he insists there is no indication that he wishes to leave Tyneside.

"I've not seen any sign from Demba since he came back that suggests he wants to find another club. I don't sense that at all," Pardew told the Mirror. "I genuinely don't see a situation where he wants to move on. He has not stressed to me he wants to move to pastures new.

"He has said to me he wants some reassurance from me. He wants a more striking role this season and I think he will."

The 50-year-old went on to reveal that he is keeping tabs on out-of-contract winger Junior Hoilett, who has recently been offered a new deal by Blackburn.

"Wherever he ends up, we're keeping a close eye on that because he's a good player," he added.

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