Alan Pardew: 'Demba Ba fee won't buy new striker'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has called for owner Mike Ashley to support him in his search for a new striker.

Top scorer Demba Ba is expected to join Chelsea in the near future after the Stamford Bridge club met the striker's release clause of £7.5m, but Pardew has insisted that it will take more than that fee to purchase a replacement.

Pardew told reporters: "Mike has been supportive, and he has to be even more supportive now.

"He has to find the extra money for a striker, as we're not going to get one in for the Ba money.

"There's always a player who can enhance a team and we wouldn't be competent if we didn't look to replace him, which we have. Hopefully we can get that one in."

Newcastle have been linked with a move for Marseille forward Loic Remy.