Alan Pardew: Frustrated by transfer market

Pardew admits it has been a frustrating summer in the transfer market for Newcastle with Loic Remy, who is ruled out until next month with a calf injury, their sole signing on a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Pardew revealed the club had been "close" to landing Aston Villa's Darren Bent before he opted for Fulham, and insisted the lack of success in the transfer market was not for want of trying.

"It's important we get another striker in," said Pardew, whose side begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester City on Monday night.

"Last year we were shy of strikers especially after Demba Ba left, and we need to make sure we have a sound back-room in terms of strikers.

"It's always frustrating in the transfer market but we've got a strong squad and we did some business last January which put us in good fettle because the six months of experience they got will stand them in good stead.

"I think the figures the top clubs are paying out is ridiculous. We can't compete with them on a financial level so we have to be as clever and shrewd as we can, and get players in of the same quality but for a lot less money."

Despite plenty of summer speculation to the contrary, Pardew maintained he is happy with the set-up at St James's Park following the controversial appointment of Joe Kinnear as Director of Football.

Pardew added: "Joe's position here is to make sure the transfers come in and he's working hard to do that. He's taken over Derek Llambias' job and so far it's working okay."