Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew battles for PSV left-back
NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew faces a race against time to sign a left-back before Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland, with PSV Eindhoven playing hardball over the sale of Erik Pieters.[LNB] Pardew had hoped to complete the signing of top target Pieters before the weekend, but after the Dutch club slapped a £6m price tag on the left-back, it is believed the Magpies boss may look to other options before making a final decision.[LNB] Lyon's Aly Cissokho is on the club's radar, but the French club have told the Tynesiders they will have to stump up more than £7m for the 23-year-old.[LNB] The Magpies have lined up Manchester City's Wayne Bridge as a possible plan C, with the FA Cup holders keen to offload the 31-year-old deemed surplus to requirements by Roberto Mancini.[LNB] Pieters has already expressed his desire to join the Magpies and Pardew believes he is still in pole position the land the 23-year-old's signature, but it seems there are a few things holding up the deal.[LNB] The player returned home at the beginning of the week to attend his grandmother's funeral and he is now waiting to get the go ahead to fly to Tyneside.[LNB] That, however, hinges on the club's agreeing a fee and with the Dutch club aware Pardew is keen to sign a replacement for Jose Enrique before Saturday, they will try to squeeze as much money out the Magpies as possible.[LNB] Meanwhile, the Football Association has slapped Arsenal striker Gervinho with a three-match ban after his red card in Saturday's draw with Newcastle was upheld.[LNB] The Ivorian was dismissed by referee Peter Walton for slapping Joey Barton after the Magpies midfielder has hauled him off the ground for diving.[LNB] The Gunners appealed the red card on Monday, citing that the standard three-match ban was excessive, but after a hearing yesterday the FA ruled the punishment should stand.[LNB] The FA also charged the clubs with failing to control their players after a mass confrontation broke out in the aftermath of the scuffle between Barton and Gervinho.[LNB] Both are expected to hear whether those appeals were successful in the next 48 hours.[LNB]
