Newcastle could lose Demba Ba in the January transfer window

Alan Pardew admits Newcastle face losing Demba Ba in the January transfer window due to a clause in his contract.

Ba has questioned his role at the club after finding himself omitted from the starting XI for Monday’s 2-2 draw at Everton, leading to reports that all is not well between himself and Pardew.

The Newcastle manager was not happy with comments made by the player and his agent in the wake of the draw at Goodison Park, but he would be reluctant to see him leave the club.

A £7million buy-out clause in his contract was believed to have expired on July 31, but Pardew has revealed it is still in place leaving the Magpies facing the possibility of losing the striker.

“There is that clause in his contract and it makes us vulnerable. It’s still open in the next window,” Pardew said.

Ba was Newcastle’s top scorer last season and he has already netted three times in four league games this term, but he is frustrated at having to start on the left to accommodate Papiss Cisse.

His agent Alex Gontran claims his client is not happy at having to move for Cisse and has warned he would seek a move if the situation does not improve.

Pardew spoke to Ba before the squad left for Thursday’s Europe League tie with ?? and stressed that he would not tolerate threats.

‘I have spoken to Demba and told him I was disappointed with some of the comments around him,” Pardew added.

“Sometimes it’s out of his control and out of my control.

“But we know each other well enough, and I’ve got no problems with him, because he is a team player who wants to do his best for the team. He has always been like that.

“I just think the agent stuff was people saying things they shouldn’t say, really. It doesn’t really affect myself and Demba, because we’ve got a very good relationship.”