Pardew challenges his Magpies to soar higher

ALAN PARDEW has challenged his Newcastle players to keep punching above their weight to maintain contact with the Premier League’s big boys.

The Magpies head into tomorrow night’s home clash with West Brom without a win in their last five games, but still sitting in seventh place in the table after an impressive start to the campaign.

Injuries, suspensions and a fixture list which pitched them into battle with Manchester City and Manchester United as well as fellow aristocrats Chelsea on consecutive weekends have taken their toll.