FORMER Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew says he holds “no grudge” towards the fans who wanted him out at St James’ Park ahead of being reunited with them for the first time at Selhurst Park tonight.

Pardew, writing in the Crystal Palace match-day programme, has described his pride at being in charge of the Magpies and of his achievements during his time on Tyneside. 

But the Eagles boss, looking for a fifth win in his six league matches since taking over at the club he made a name for himself as a player, accepts there were Newcastle supporters who no longer wanted him at the helm.

Pardew said: “For a variety of reasons, the Newcastle supporters ran out of patience with me as manager of their club, but I can assure each and every one of them that I bear no grudge.

“You love your club more than any owner or manager and the pressure that goes with a job like that is well known before you take on the challenge.

“Let’s all move on and try to cherish the good days we had together. Nothing will ever dilute the affinity and affection I will always hold for the club. For those wearing black and white I wish you well – just not tonight, OK!”

Pardew stressed he was keen to take the opportunity to send a farewell message to the travelling Newcastle fans turning up to Selhurst Park because he felt he had not had the opportunity to do so.

And he was looking forward to meeting up with his former colleagues again.

Pardew said: “Tonight’s fixture is obviously very special to me because I welcome my good friend John Carver and a team of players that are still close to my heart after my four years as Newcastle manager.

“I had a fabulous time as Newcastle manager. We took the team to a fifth place finish in the 2011-12 season and it is an achievement that can never be taken away from any of us who were involved in it. Southampton is probably the only comparable story in recent years.

“If you look at the net spend we had in my time at Newcastle on transfers you can only conclude it was a successful period because the club I left are established in the Premier League with a platform to go to the next level. It is a legacy that I am proud to have on my record.”

Carver has made two changes to the Newcastle team which drew with Stoke City on Sunday. Yoan Gouffran slots in as a replacement for Sammy Ameobi, while Papiss Cisse starts up front despite interest in him from Al-Ahli, so Vurnon Anita drops to the bench.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni; Ward, Hangeland, Delaney, Kelly; Puncheon, McArthur, Ledley, Zaha; Chamakh, Sanogo. Subs: Mariappa, Bolasie, Campbell, Hennnessey (gk), Gayle, Murray, Mutch.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-2-3-1): Krul: Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haïdara; Sissoko, Colback; Cabella, Perez, Gouffran; Cisse. Subs: Taylor, Anita, Riviere, Obertan, Dummett, Woodman (gk). Abeid.