Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has remained hopeful that Demba Ba will stay at St James' Park after the January transfer window.

Speculation regarding the Senegalese striker's future continues to rumble on, with reports suggesting that Arsenal are ready to trigger a £7.5m release clause built into his contract.

Pardew admitted that Ba's departure would leave the Magpies with a problem, and has vowed to sort the situation by next summer.

"Really and truly this window is the key, I think, because if Demba goes in this window, it will cause us a problem," Pardew told reporters.

"I think he will stay, but there's a possibility he could go because of the clause that's still in force.

"I won't let it run until the summer. I'll do something about it. We will either move Demba on or we will secure him in the summer."

Ba has scored 11 Premier League goals this season.