DARYL JANMAAT insists Newcastle United’s players are firmly behind Alan Pardew, and is delighted back-to-back victories have lifted some of the pressure off the club’s embattled boss.

The Magpies head to Manchester City in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup this evening looking to spring a surprise on the back of successive league wins over Leicester City and Spurs.

The club’s antipathy towards the cup competitions remains – Pardew refused to conduct any pre-match media duties this week because, unlike with Premier League matches, he is not contractually obliged to do so ahead of eague Cup games – but whereas a defeat at the Etihad would have sparked prolonged protests a few weeks ago, recent results have taken the edge off some of the more vociferous complaints.

Pardew’s position remains fragile, with Newcastle still just two points above the relegation zone, but having been signed by the Londoner in the summer, Janmaat is delighted to have helped strengthen his manager’s position in the last two games.

“The manager was under a lot of pressure, so it’s nice that we have given him those points,” said the Dutch full-back. “The pressure has eased – we want him as the manager.

“Of course we want him – we do not want another manager. If you lose games, then it is normal (that the manager is under pressure), but now I expect the pressure to ease on him.”

Pardew played a prominent role in last weekend’s 2-1 win at Tottenham, with his half-time substitutions proving crucial to the final outcome. One replacement, Sammy Ameobi, scored within seven seconds of his introduction at the interval, while the other, Remy Cabella, delivered the cross for Ayoze Perez’s headed winner.

Both players are expected to start at the Etihad tonight, with Janmaat having revealed that Pardew made no attempt to hide his anger during the half-time interval at White Hart Lane.

“After the first half, he was angry,” said the defender. “He said, ‘If you play like that, you cannot win games’. Afterwards, he gave us a compliment and was very passionate. He said, ‘If you play like that, you will win games’.

“We needed points and we need to be higher in the table, but two wins in a row after a draw has been very good for us. We still have to improve, but now we have the confidence to do that.”

Whether that confidence is sufficient to spring a surprise at the Etihad remains to be seen, with both Pardew and his opposite number, Manuel Pellegrini, expected to make changes for tonight’s fourth-round tie.

Rolando Aarons is set to return to the Newcastle squad after almost two months out with a hamstring injury, although the youngster could well start on the bench after such a lengthy absence.

Papiss Cisse is unlikely to feature as he continues to struggle with a knee injury, but Ryan Taylor could make his first appearance for almost two years after recovering from two separate cruciate ligament injuries.

Newcastle’s undisguised disdain for knockout football continues to be a source of considerable frustration to the club’s fans, who have snapped up tonight’s allocation of 3,000 tickets despite the club’s board consistently confirming that the cups are ‘not a priority’.

The Capital One Cup is also well down Manchester City’s list of priorities this season, although the club’s presence in the Champions League at least offers a degree of justification for Pellegrini’s anticipated shuffling of his pack.

Samir Nasri is available for City after missing the last seven matches with a groin injury, with Frank Lampard the only senior squad member to be sidelined.

“The Spurs win was great, but now we have to try to win at Manchester City,” said Janmaat. “City have a big squad and a great squad – even their second (team) is very good. It will be a tough game, but if we play like we did in the second half at Spurs, then of course we have a chance.

“The cup is important. It is a prize, and Newcastle have not won one since 1969. It would be a great party if we won a prize, and the fans want that very much.”

Possible line-ups:

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Sagna, Mangala, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Fernando; Milner, Jovetic, Navas; Dzeko.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Elliot; R Taylor, S Taylor, Coloccini, Haidara; Anita, Colback; Cabella, Sissoko, Ameobi; Perez.