Magpies boss dismisses rift reports as "wildfire"

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has denied there is a rift among the players at the club.

Recent reports suggested there was disharmony in the dressing room after last weekend's 6-0 defeat at home to Liverpool. Earlier this week striker Papiss Cisse and midfielder Cheick Tiote both denied there was any unrest, and Pardew has echoed that sentiment by saying the reports are "wildfire" and "completely unfounded".

Speaking ahead of this weekend's trip to West Ham, he said: