NEWCASTLE MANAGER ALAN Pardew wants clarification from the English Football Association regarding his side’s European qualification status.

Pardew made the demand today ahead of Newcastle’s match against Stoke on Saturday.

Newcastle are currently fifth in the Premier League, one spot off England’s UEFA Champions League qualifying berth.

But if Chelsea were to win this season’s Champions League that qualifying slot would not be available, although Pardew wants to know for sure.

“I would like some clarity from the FA about what it all means because we don’t know, if we are honest but we will find out at the end of the season,” Pardew said.

“The most important thing is to win all your games but we are keeping our eye on the other results as you can imagine.

“Arsenal losing to Wigan was a big loss for them, and puts them in touching distance of the three clubs behind them.”

Newcastle have been close to the Champions League qualification spots all season but despite sitting equal on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, Pardew argues his team would not be disappointed to end the season in fifth.

“We are batting way above our level,” Newcastle’s manager said.

“In terms of the teams, the salaries and the transfer fees that other clubs are paying, we shouldn’t be anywhere near them but we are.

“We continue in our good form, you know, we are in great form at the moment, the momentum is with us and we take that to Stoke.”

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