Newcastle boss still needs striker

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will wait until the very last minute to decide on a replacement for Andy Carroll, who left for Liverpool in January of last year. The number 9 shirt remains unfilled at St. James' Park.

Legendary forward Alan Shearer is amongst one of the star players who have worn the coveted shirt; but Pardew is in no rush to fill the role just yet.

“The number nine shirt is equally important. I will leave the number nine as late as I can,” he told the club’s official website.

"I know just what that shirt means to this football club, but there will be a few contenders who could wear that shirt and do it justice.

"It is an important shirt and I might think of giving it to a player who doesn't get weighed down by it. I will have to assess the characters of the players to make sure that doesn't happen."