Pards up for England job

ALAN PARDEW has thrown his hat into the ring for the England job — as the successor to Harry Redknapp.

Ambitious Newcastle boss Pardew revealed for the first time that he would love to lead his country.

But only after Redknapp has had a crack at following Fabio Capello, who is set to stand down after this summer's Euro 2012 finals.

Tottenham manager Redknapp has become the hot favourite to replace the Italian.

Pardew said: "Right now I'm fully behind Harry. I hope he gets it because he'd understand that role. He's experienced enough and has the motivational devices to succeed.

"Hopefully I'll get myself into a position where I'm experienced enough to be able to do that. I want to be at the top of my profession.

"I'd like to expand myself and manage overseas but, ultimately, would I like to be England manager at some stage if I was lucky enough to be asked? Yes."

Pardew's veteran striker Shola Ameobi has reinforced his status as the great Newcastle survivor now he has been joined by his TWENTY SECOND strike partner.

Ameobi, 30, first appeared for Toon in 2000 and has since played alongside stars such as Alan Shearer and Michael Owen.

Now he is to be partnered by new boy Papiss Cisse, even though the frontman is currently on African Nations Cup duty with Senegal.

Ameobi said: "Somebody asked me how many strikers we'd signed since I made my debut, and I guessed 28. So I wasn't too far off. It's a lot, nearly as many as managers here!

"Nothing will change for me. You've got to fight for places at every club in every position. It makes me work harder."