Pards backs his old club to stay up

NEWCASTLE United “should have enough” to stay in the Premier League next season if they keep Rafa Benitez, believes former Magpies’ boss Alan Pardew.

However, the 55-year-old – who has been out of work since December when he was sacked as Crystal Palace manager – insists Newcastle must look to invest this summer and add a “couple of big stars.”

United secured promotion last month with two games to spare and could even clinch the Championship title against Barnsley on Sunday should they better Brighton’s result at Aston Villa.

Pardew said: “I think Newcastle will stay in the Premier League if they can keep Rafa Benitez.

“They have the home power, you just have to add a few players to that squad and a couple of big stars.

“They should have enough to stay up.”

Pardew also praised Benitez’s management of the Magpies in the Championship this season.

The ex-Newcastle manager believes signing proven secondtier players is the correct approach to take in order to make a swift return to the Premier League.

In fact, Pardew has encouraged United’s bitter North East rivals Sunderland to do likewise.

Speaking about the Wearsiders, he said: “As we know, all the teams in the Championship are gunning to reach the gold mine which is the Premier League.

“There are four or five big clubs all poised with good teams going into next season.

“David Moyes will have to sit down with the chairman and discuss what the budget is.

“Even though Sunderland will get the injection of parachute money it does not mean to say they will do things the right way.

“Benitez has done things pretty much spot on at Newcastle. Ex-Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

“He took a big group of top Championship players, some of whom were there already, and his squad has seen him through. “That would be a good route for David to go down if he can convince the chairman that is the right route.”