Pardew: 'Step Up To The Plate'

By Tom Easterby

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has challenged his strikers to step up to the plate ahead of Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace (3pm kick-off).

Loic Remy will again be missing for the Magpies as they face relegation-threatened Palace, having mustered just one goal in their last five top flight matches at St. James' Park.

With United labouring in front of goal in the 13-goal Frenchman's absence, Pardew has called upon his forwards to score the goals that will fire United up the Barclays Premier League table.

"It's a major point for us, as obviously Loic Remy is not our player and he's scored most of our goals, and we're struggling to score goals without him, especially since Cabaye left as well," said the Toon boss.

"It really is a process where we're looking for somebody to step up and get the goals. There'll be no Loic this weekend, so we really need Papiss, Hatem, Luuk and Gouff to come up with the goals."

Another attacking option in the United ranks is youngster Adam Armstrong, who came off the bench last weekend at Fulham to make his professional debut. The 17-year-old hitman, who made his bow in the final four minutes at Craven Cottage, is highly rated by the Magpies' coaching staff

"It wasn't something that I'd thought about before the game, but I felt that, the way the game was unfolding, he just might have a spark for us - he's that type of player," said Pardew, of Armstrong's cameo in the capital.

"He's got great natural talent and he combines that with a real work ethic. He's got his chance early, maybe because we had a few injuries involved in that game.

"I'm not sure he's going to be involved this week as we've got a few back, but he's one that we've got high hopes for and really hope he does well."

A small number of tickets for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace are still available. To secure your seat at St. James' Park, click here.