Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has admitted that the Magpies' top players will be made too expensive for rival clubs to afford.

The former West Ham United boss is adamant that he will keep hold of his team, who are currently third in the Premier League table.

"It is going to cost a hell of a lot of money, a hell of a lot of money because we're in that position now," The Mirror quotes Pardew as saying.

"I think any of our players that get linked to other clubs, those clubs are going to need to know they'll need to pay a shed load of money to get anyone out of this football club.

"I don't envisage anyone going out in this window, but if a club, one of the top clubs, comes in and wants to pay way, way over the odds we'll have to look at it."

The North East side came to the end of their unbeaten run after a 3-1 defeat to league leaders Manchester City on Saturday.