NEWCASTLE UNITED midfielder Kevin Nolan has urged owner Mike Ashley to keep his hand in his pocket this summer, insisting that big-money buys are not the secret to establishing the club back in the Premier League.

The Scouser, who has emerged as a leading contender to take the captaincy on a full-time basis next season, expects to see three or four new faces recruited during the upcoming transfer window, adding depth to the squad that will soon face the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Nolan warned any potential new arrivals to forget about coming to Tyneside if their only motivation is money.

The former Bolton ace believes that in the past too many players were drawn to St James’ Park for the wrong reasons and Newcastle were guilty of assuming that a high price tag brought a guarantee of quality.

Before agreeing to part with their precious cash he wants the club to scrutinise a players’ character to prevent the dressing room becoming populated by inflated egos.

In short, Nolan believes star names are a thing of the past at Newcastle.

“I think the core of the squad is already there for next season. Whoever we bring in it can’t just be done on the basis that ‘he’s a top player, he’s a big name, he’ll do’. It can’t be like last time,” said Nolan.

“We’re not going to make a big name signing and then focus everything on that player.

“We’re not going to splash out £20m on this one, £10m on that one and £5m on that one and suddenly say these are the main men. I don’t think this club thinks like that any more. I don’t think you can do that any more with the way finances in football have gone.

“Chris is very shrewd, he knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. He is very good with the business side of things as well as the football side of it. I’m sure he will get the players he wants. I’m sure we will see three or four new additions this summer but they will be great additions.

“They will be players who fit into the squad and give us something a little bit different.

They are going to be people who connect with the place, players who buy into what Newcastle United is all about, which at this moment in time is a togetherness, grit and determination. We will play our football when we can, but we want to win, that’s the mentality we have as a group.

You have to give your heart to this football club because there is no point coming here if you’re not going to do that.

“The least the fans demand is effort and commitment, and a passion about playing for this club. If you’re not up for that it’s not worth bothering to come here. I think that’s why some players have found it difficult to come up here in the past, they didn’t fully understand that or appreciate it.”

Nolan also had an answer to those critics who have already labelled the squad as candidates to make an immediate return to the Championship.

As a leading light in the Bolton squad that rose from the Championship ten years ago to become an established top-flight force, he believes that Newcastle can take heart from the fighting spirit that transformed the Trotters from Premier League interlopers into a side challenging for European honours.

“It is all about being realistic.

I am as ambitious as anyone for this club but we are a newly-promoted side and we need to get a foothold back in the division.

“When we did it with Bolton we went up via the play-offs.

But all of the teams, (Bolton, Blackburn and Fulham) who went up that season stayed up. It was the first time that had happened in the Premier League.

“They all went on to become established Premier League teams and also progressed to play European football within five years. It will be great if we can do that within five years for this club.

We firmly believe that’s where we belong and that is where we will remain.”