Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted that his side are fighting against relegation from the Premier League this season.

The Magpies' 2-1 away defeat to Stoke City on Wednesday has placed them 14th in the table, just two points above the dropzone.

When asked if it was too early to say that Newcastle were being sucked into a relegation battle, Pardew said: "Well, we are now, and no, it's not too early.

"We can't bury our head in the sand, and we have to get wins to get out of it. Actually, I'm so buoyed by the performance [at Stoke], and by the fact that the things we have changed, the things we've done, have definitely helped the team.

"The team have responded to them. Hopefully, we can take that forward."

Newcastle are at home to Wigan Athletic in the Premier League on Monday.