Alan Pardew has said that he is expecting a "great game" when his Newcastle United side face his former club tomorrow.

The Magpies boss, who celebrated his third anniversary at St James' Park earlier this week, won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy during his spell in charge of Southampton from 2009 to 2010.

Pardew told reporters: "I think we're a very hard-working side with talent, and Southampton are like that, and I think it's got huge significance on the result on Saturday that these two teams are going to collide in a real hard-working way.

"Therefore it's going to make for a great game, I think, both sides set up to attack and both pretty solid when they do attack. Southampton have only conceded 19 goals or something, which is a great achievement in terms of the way they are on the front foot and press you. We're very similar and I think it'll make for a cracking game.

"I was only there a year or whatever, maybe a bit longer. It's a great club, they have a great tradition of playing football in the right manner, but this new manager has done a good job and taken them to a real high-pressing game without losing that formula."

Newcastle head into the match just three points and one place ahead of Southampton in the table.