Newcastle United director of football Joe Kinnear has insisted that he will have a successful working relationship with manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

The 66-year-old's return to St James' Park sparked controversy, with reports suggesting that Pardew and Carr were considering their futures following the announcement that Kinnear had signed a three-year deal.

"I've known Graham since he started off managing in non-league football," the Sunderland Echo quotes Kinnear as saying. "I'd known Graham for 10 years when he was at Spurs. We're both on the same street. As long as it's truthful talk, it's something positive.

"We're going to sit down and ask Alan Pardew 'what do you think about the team? What do you think we need?' I'm going to say what I say. Alan's going to say what he says. We'll sit down and discuss [things]. We're not kids. We want the best for Newcastle.

"Three of us can sit down and iron out what we think is the best for Newcastle. Our role is to get the best players and the best team that Newcastle have. That's what I intend to do."

Recent reports have claimed that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is considering selling the club.