Alan Pardew has refused to condone Modibo Maiga's strike action, but admits he is still keen to bring the striker on board.
Magpies boss remains keen on Sochaux striker
Alan Pardew has refused to condone Modibo Maiga's strike action, but admits he is still keen to bring the striker on board.
With Newcastle having made their interest known, the Sochaux forward has slipped into a self-imposed exile.
He has vowed to stay away from his French employers until a deal is struck to take him to England.
Newcastle are hoping an agreement can be reached that suits all parties, but admit that nothing has been put in place as yet.
Pardew claims he would not have played Maiga in this weekend's Wear-Tyne derby with Sunderland even if he had been snapped up in time, but he has sought to assure the club's supporters that he is doing all he can to get fresh faces on board.
He told the
Evening Chronicle: "Where we are today is even if he's come before Saturday, I probably wouldn't play him.
"For this game you need to have worked on your team and have an understanding of what is needed.
Unfair
"To bring somebody in cold would be unfair on the player.
"On the striker front we have made a bid. We can't condone the player's actions, what he's doing, but we would like to see him at Newcastle."
On his continued efforts to strengthen his squad, Pardew added: "It is difficult for me because I keep doing press conferences and indicating we are getting players and they aren't coming over the line.
"But it's only after the window shuts when it becomes a problem.
"At the moment I think it will happen and we will get to the end of the season, hopefully, with a team stronger than last year.
"One thing I do know is that the bench looks stronger. From the bench I can change the game."
