By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

There may be another 10 days or so before United return to pre-season training, but manager Alan Pardew admits he is feeling refreshed and would be ready to start "tomorrow".

Having guided Newcastle to fifth-place in the Premier League table - and therefore a Europa League spot - last time out, the boss has spent his summer not only planning how to keep them marching forward, but also as a BBC pundit for their Euro 2012 coverage.

So there has been little time to switch off from football, but that's suits Pardew just fine, and less than six weeks after their final fixture of last term at Everton, he is ready to go all over again.

"I've got one last little trip with my family and then once that ends then I will really focus on the job in hand," the 50-year-old told nufc.co.uk.

"I've had a really nice time and done a lovely couple of things in the summer.

"It's been good and I've had a nice rest, so if we had to start tomorrow, I would be ready.

"We've still got a couple of weeks to go yet but I'm looking forward to it."

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