Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted that Demba Ba was "upset" after being taken off during the Magpies' victory over Bolton Wanderers yesterday.
The former West Ham United striker, who has not scored in nine appearances for the North East side, failed to acknowledge his boss when he was substituted in the second half of Newcastle's 2-0 win over Bolton.
"Demba was upset when I brought him off, as I'd just had a go at him about something," Pardew told the Shields Gazette.
"I was trying to get a reaction from him, if I'm honest. I want him to be angry and fight. He'll come out fighting. I know Demba, and I've got no worries about him. It wasn't Demba's day, but it might be in two weeks' time."
Newcastle could move up to fourth place in the table with a victory over Stoke City next Saturday.
