Pardew protects strike force

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is determined to protect his limited pool of strikers as he prepares to build upon his side’s astonishing Arsenal fightback.

Andy Carroll’s £35million departure for Liverpool and Shola Ameobi’s fractured cheekbone – the 29-year-old is due to undergo surgery tomorrow – left Pardew with just Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands and Nile Ranger available for Saturday’s remarkable 4-4 Barclays Premier League draw with the Gunners.