Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has insisted that he is not surprised by his team's impressive form this season.

The Magpies have climbed up to sixth place in the Premier League table thanks to six wins from their last eight matches.

However, Pardew claims that his players deserve to be near the top of the standings due to their "energy" and "experience".

"It's been terrific, particularly the last two months. It's about now sustaining that," he is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"But it's not a complete surprise to me. A lot of this team was the team that finished fifth two years ago and they have got experience.

"We have got good experience in the group and we have got a lot of energy, and it's that energy that has really taken us up a notch."

Newcastle welcome Stoke City to St James' Park in the Premier League on Boxing Day.