NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew has offered his deepest regrets for the headbutt on David Meyler which has left him facing a seven-match ban.

Pardew will be banned from the stadium for the first three of those, starting with Saturday's trip to Fulham.

He intends to be at the team hotel in London on Saturday to deliver the teamtalk before the fixture at Craven Cottage.

The punishment was handed out to him by an independent regulatory commission at Wembley on Tuesday following a charge of improper conduct by the Football Association.

And Pardew, speaking for the first time since the severity of the ban was handed out, has massive regrets.

He said: "I want to reiterate my apologies to Steve Bruce, David Meyler and fans up and down the country but particularly our own. The fans have been fantastic and so has Mike Ashley (the Newcastle owner).

"I had no intention to appeal the decision. I sent a letter to Steve Bruce (the Hull manager) to say sorry for the incident which happened and I deeply regret it. It was stupid.

"The bottom line is I should not have gone forward when he pushed me."

As well as the FA punishment, Newcastle owner Ashley also issued a warning and handed him a £100,000 fine for the incident during Newcastle's 4-1 over Hull.

When asked about the possibility of him being sacked after the incident, Pardew said: "It was a relief. My mistake was in front of millions of people and I had to pay a price. Mike Ashley acted swiftly and we move forward. Since the incident, the backing I have had from the club has helped me."

He will now consider ways to help him calm down during matches, but admits he will always remain passionate about leading Newcastle to success.

He said: "I will now sit down during games, in the short term I will be in the stand, for the first three games not even in the stadium.

"That period will help me. But what it won't do is change my desire for the game."