NEWCASTLE UNITED manager Alan Pardew could still have Demba Ba at St James' Park next season - despite considering the Senegalese striker's replacements.

Fans of the Magpies were counting down the days to the new season yesterday when the fixtures for the new campaign were released with two months remaining until the big kick-off.

And with a home date with the team that finished above them last season in fourth - Tottenham Hotspur - scheduled on the opening weekend of August 18, Pardew knows supporters will be looking closely at the ins and outs.

Tottenham, prior to Harry Redknapp's departure last week, were among a number of clubs weighing up a move for Ba because of the £7m release clause in his contract which could see him leave.

Over the weekend another of those would-be suitors, Galatasaray, played down their interest and suggested it would be difficult for them to pull off a deal for the player.

But Pardew, who snapped him up as a free agent from West Ham 12 months ago, said: "Ever since he signed with us we've had it (the speculation), I don't think it's going to go away. We want him to stay, the fans do too, and we hope that will be the case."

During Ba's first season at Newcastle he scored 17 goals, but such form could easily tempt other clubs into making a bid to land a player who can clearly find the net in the English top-flight.

Pardew is considering alternatives should Ba leave, with Twente's Luuk de Jong and Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha among those to be under serious consideration. Newcastle made an £8m bid for de Jong last night.

It emerged yesterday, though, that West Ham United are keen to sign Zaha. Sam Allardyce, the former Newcastle boss, has joined the list of managers interested in landing the England Under-21 international.

It remains to be seen what movement there will be on the transfer front on Tyneside, but Pardew is keen to have made more progress before the trip to White Hart Lane on August 18.

The Tottenham fixture is the first of two tough opening assignments for Newcastle, who then travel to European champions Chelsea the following week on August 25. The Blues will boast a number of expensive summer recruits.

"It's a fantastic start to be at home - I thought our home game against Spurs was one of the best matches of the season," said Pardew, whose side came from behind twice to claim a 2-2 draw last season.

"We will be looking forward to that. I'm pleased for our fans as it's a great way to start the season. The expectation will be on us to win all our games, so it's no issue that it's a tough one.

"I think the start is a lot tougher than last year and the end looks tough as well, so we will be hoping to get everything we want done as soon as possible and hopefully before we get in to that opening period."

After four scheduled fixtures in September, the Magpies have Manchester United at home on October 6 which is 14 days before Newcastle travel to Sunderland on October 20.

The return Tyne-Wear fixture at St James' will be on April 13 and there will just be five more games for Newcastle after that game has been played.

Newcastle will be hoping to build on last season's fifth place finish in the top-flight. If they are still in the mix for a similar finish then they are scheduled to meet Arsenal, who finished third, on Tyneside on May 19 which is the last day of the season.