Pardew plays down rift after Ba is barred

Demba Ba has been left out of Newcastle's squad for their Europa League clash with Maritimo following a bizarre outburst by his agent, although manager Alan Pardew insists no lasting damage has been done.

Ba's rash comments about "not being happy" after coming off the bench to score twice in Newcastle's 2-2 draw with Everton on Monday night, were followed by claims from his representative, Alex Gontran, that he did not "understand" Pardew, with a threat he would leave if he continued to start on the substitutes' bench.

Gontran further inflamed the situation by arguing that Ba had been treated badly at the end of last season when he was asked to play on the left of a three-man strike force to accommodate Papiss Demba Cisse.

"That's just people needing to say things they shouldn't say, really, but it doesn't really affect me and Demba," said Pardew in Madeira. "We have got a good relationship."

The Daily Telegraph understands that Ba has been pushing for an improved contract since the end of a summer when he was offered to clubs across Europe by people claiming to represent him, however Newcastle will not negotiate while he still has more than 18 months left on his current deal.

Ba will be involved in the game against Norwich on Sunday, as will Cisse, who also stayed at home because of a virus, along with French due Hatem Ben Afra and Yohan Cabaye.

Maritimo (4-3-3, probable): Salin; Briguel, Guilherme, Roberge, Ruben; Heldon, Rafael Miranda, Joao Luiz; Danilo, Fidelis, Sami.

Newcastle United (4-5-1, probable): Harper; Tavernier, Williamson, Perch, Ferguson; Obertan, Bigirimana, Amalfitano, Vuckic, Marveaux; Shola Ameobi.