Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hoping to put some distance between his side and the chasing pack when they take on Manchester United.

The Premier League champions travel to St James' Park on Wednesday night looking to go level on points with Manchester City once again following their victory over Liverpool.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are seventh in the table and despite a dip in form Pardew believes they can reassert their presence in the top half with a win.

"That gap (with teams below) was obviously going to close with the injuries and games we have had, and it has," he said.

"But we are still there and after this particular game, we have a decent run of games, so there's again a chance to maybe put some distance between us and the chasing pack. But we have to prove that."

United, though, will want to bounce back from a poor defeat at the hands of Blackburn and are expected to be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney for the match on Tyneside.

Pardew added: "It would say a lot, but it's still a tough ask.

"We are catching them at a time when they have got something to prove, and they are always dangerous when they are like that. But so have we, so we will see what the reaction is.

"They still hold the medals, and that says a lot for a squad. They are the champions and you have to respect that.

"I was there on Saturday for the (Blackburn) game and I know he (Ferguson) is going to be very, very disappointed on the back of that game and he will be bringing that to his dressing room and into our stadium on Wednesday night."