Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew believes that club owner Mike Ashley's decision to rename St James's Park could prove a positive step forward for the North East side.

The Premier League side have rebranded the infamous stadium Sports Direct Arena, to the dismay of a number of Magpies supporters.

"I do not really see how it has affected us," Sky Sports News quotes Pardew as saying. "We have a couple of traditionalists but they understand, and the logic of what it is hasn't really impacted on the playing side.

"I think if we were moving stadium you would be talking about a different situation. This club has a cathedral that is still there. And that is very good news.

"The other plus side is the revenue that will come. Hopefully, a big sponsor because it is a fantastic situation for a company to have its name linked to such a famous ground."

While the former West Ham United manager understands the board's motives, he understands the fans' concerns.

"Of course you can understand how the traditionalists feel, but my point is that the Gallowgate End is still there, the Leazes End is still there, the same seats are still there, you're still turning up," he added.

"I don't want to harp on about it because it's a sensitive issue for me, but for the rest of us it's very much let's get on with the job that we're doing and we're doing a pretty job at the minute."

Meanwhile, Newcastle will face their toughest challenge of the season when they go head to head with league leaders Manchester City this weekend.