Source: PA
Pardew set for Newcastle
Alan Pardew is expected to be confirmed as the new Newcastle manager within the next 24 hours.
The Magpies were remaining tight-lipped over the identity of their primary target as talks progressed on Wednesday, but Press Association Sport understands the 49-year-old is the clear front-runner in a small field which has reduced in size since the search for Chris Hughton's replacement began in earnest.
Club owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias are close to concluding a deal and are confident the new man will be in place ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at St James' Park.
Former Reading, West Ham, Charlton and Southampton boss Pardew has been the bookmakers' favourite virtually from the off and Ladbrokes were quoting him as a 1/9 shot with William Hill going even stronger at 1/12.
He is not the only serious option to have been considered since Hughton's departure on Monday, but with the likes of Alan Curbishley, Martin O'Neill and Martin Jol having slipped in the betting, his odds have shortened by the day.
