Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has claimed that owner Mike Ashley is aware that the club need to sign more "quality" players this summer.

The Magpies, who have lost four of their last five Premier League games, currently sit ninth in the table.

Pardew believes that the North-East outfit need to strengthen following the departure of midfielder Yohan Cabaye in January.

"I think that's been a positive, that he sees we need a bit of quality in the group, that the players are doing their best, but we do need more quality if we are going to impact the top of the league," Pardew said in Thursday's press conference.

"It's important that the squad is balanced and has a certain level of quality that represents this club. There's no doubt after the loss of Cabaye that we need to add quality to this group."

Newcastle will take on Stoke City at the Britannia on Saturday.