Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed that he hopes that the "adversity" surrounding his seven-game ban "bonds the group" at St James' Park.

The 52-year old has been punished for headbutting David Meyler during the 4-1 win against Hull City, with the first three matches being a stadium ban, while the remaining four will see him suspended from the touchline.

That means that he will miss today's match away to Fulham, but he believes that his players can pull through and remain in the hunt for Europe.

"It was one of our best performances of the year and after it was all about was me. I'm a team player and that really hurt me. So I'm hoping this scenario bonds the group a little bit while I'm not there," Pardew told Chronicle Live.

"And in adversity we can get three strong results."

The Magpies are eighth in the league table.