Pardew relaxed over Ba future

Demba Ba: Expected to stay at Newcastle and repay the supporters

Alan Pardew is staying calm over the future of Demba Ba as he believes the striker wants to stay at Newcastle and repay the supporters who love him.

Ba only joined the Magpies last summer but he has been linked with a move away from Tyneside during the current transfer window.

The Senegal international has a buy-out clause in his contract which can be activated until the end of July, so the next week and a half is a crucial period for both him and the club.

But Ba has repeatedly stated that fans should ignore reports about a possible exit, and Pardew has no doubts about his commitment to Newcastle.

When asked if he was impressed by Ba's comments hinting towards staying at United, Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "They have never been anything other if you speak to Demba.

"He's always had the same feeling for the club. I think he understands that the fans love him here.

"He wants to repay that. By the same token we all have to make sure that everybody is happy here."

Central role

Ba has asked Pardew about playing more as a centre-forward this season, having been deployed mainly in a wide position after the arrival of his compatriot Papiss Cisse in January.

And the Newcastle manager has indicated that Ba will get his chance to lead the line alongside Cisse for the coming 12 months.

"Demba wants to play in a central role. He wants to get himself chances to score goals," said Pardew.

"And I think that in 90 per cent of the games next year that's where he will play."

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