Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has denied claims that manager Alan Pardew could be sacked if he fails to beat Stoke City on Monday night.

Ashley was quoted in The Independent earlier this week, saying that Pardew "had one more game" and that he has "had enough".

Ashley's lawyer refuted these quotes, claiming that the owner was 'humouring' the reporter.

"Mr Ashley responded, tongue in cheek, that Mr Pardew had two more games before being sacked," Ashley's lawyer said, according to Sky Sports News.

"To put this into perspective, over the past few weeks certain reporters have stated that they believe that Mr Pardew has two more games before being sacked.

"Mr Ashley was therefore 'humouring' your reporter."

The Magpies travel to the Britannia on Monday evening to face Stoke, as Pardew looks to lift his side off the bottom of the table.