Alan Pardew praises owner Mike Ashley

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has praised the club's owner Mike Ashley for helping him to keep his squad together during the transfer window.

Several Magpies players have been tipped with moves to other Premier League clubs but currently none of the big stars have left.

Pardew said that a lot of credit should go to Newcastle owner Ashley for his refusal to sell the club's key assets.

"You have to pay a lot of respect to Mike, the owner here, because he could have cashed in on one of our big players," Pardew said.

"We have had a couple of phone calls during the window and Mike has been pretty adamant that everybody stays.

"I thank him for that and our fans should thank him too because we are not as affluent as some other clubs."

Despite not losing any big names, Pardew has been able to bring in Vurnon Anita from Ajax.