Alan Pardew fears Moussa Sissoko departure

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has expressed his fears that key midfielder Moussa Sissoko could prove a target for other clubs.

The 25-year-old is set to be reinstated to the Magpies' starting XI for Saturday's clash at home to Chelsea, having served a one-game ban for the red card he picked up in last weekend's 1-0 defeat against West Ham United.

Pardew is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "We have not had contact from anybody else or heard from anybody else, but I take the point [that he could be a target for others].

"He is playing for a club where big clubs have come before and taken players away. I understand that so therefore, I guess, he is a player they will be looking at. He has been terrific for us."

Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy have left Newcastle for other clubs in recent seasons.