Pardew is urging his World Cup-bound stars to hone themselves for their trip to Brazil by pushing Newcastle to a European place ... just six months after saying he didn't want to be in Europe. Pardew sent Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Debuchy, Moussa Sissoko, Loic Remy, Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse away for key games during the international break, and welcomed them back to Tyneside on Thursday with all but Senegal striker Cisse dreaming of a summer playing on the big stage.
They will now all hope to make their respective national squads, along with the likes of Holland's Tim Krul and Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote, for next summer's festivities in South America.
Alan Pardew: "We knew that at the start and our performance director put a programme in that was really tough knowing that at the back of this season, they have a World Cup.
"Their preparation has been very good and they have worked very hard, so where we stand today six months away, they are in great shape.
"Hopefully they stay clear of injury and we have a good season and at the moment, the signs are good.
"Most of our players have made it to the World Cup with only Papiss, really, missing out.
"The French game was significant, obviously. Two-nil down and to come back and win 3-0 has been an enormous boost for them.
"Cabaye being at the centre of that and Debuchy playing both games was really good news for us, so our guys are really pleased about that.
"Now it's about focusing on the Premier League. It's great for them, they can look forward to the draw and the World Cup, but the league is the bread and butter."
Source: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
