ALAN PARDEW believes the united dressing room at Newcastle is the main reason behind this season's success after he revealed the club is already a year ahead of schedule in their quest to be challenging for a place in Europe.

The Magpies moved level on points with fifth placed Chelsea after Sunday's comprehensive win over Liverpool at St James' Park, which further cemented their hopes of landing a Europa League place at the end of the season.

A staggering ten-point gap stands between Newcastle and their closest rivals Everton going into the final seven games of the season, an achievement even the club's hierarchy didn't anticipate.

Managing director Derek Llambias revealed earlier in the season that as part of the club's five-year plan, a top-ten finish was the aim for this season, with a top-eight finish next season.

Considering the departures of several key players at the end of last season, Pardew believes the fact his new players have settled well is a major reason why the return of European football is a distinct possibility next season.

"We're a year ahead of schedule," Pardew revealed. "I didn't expect us to be fighting as close as we are at the moment for a European spot, but we're going to take the chance in front of us if we can.

"The target was to be in contention for Europe next year, now we find ourselves in contention for Europe this year.

"Football doesn't often put an opportunity in front of you, so you've got to try and grasp it. I've been saying that to the players.

"One of the keys has been the way the new players have settled. Victories have come at crucial times and we've been able to bounce back form defeats, some heavy ones as well, with good results."

Having lost the likes of Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique, Pardew's re-investment of the money made from those transfers has been spot on.

Strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have both been revelations since their summer and January moves respectively, while Yohan Cabaye has proved a snip at £4.5million.

A return to form for Hatem Ben Arfa has been crucial in the last few weeks, but the performances of players who have come in through injuries have also been key.

"All the squad have played a part. That doesn't always happen at a team," Pardew said.

"You can go through a season and squad players come in and they do okay, but the team doesn't get the same results, and there's a little bit of bad feeling goes on between one group and the other, but we've not had that.

"Players have come in and done as well as the ones that have gone out and I've not lost a wink of sleep over selecting someone over somebody else and that's important.

"A lot of things were settled last year and we put down the foundations of how we played and conducted ourselves around the training ground and that's followed through this season so it's been a lot easier for the new players to settle into that environment.

"You have to say we've had outstanding players, and you need that in the Premier League to achieve anything. You can't get those results without outstanding players. That's what we've got."

Newcastle will attempt to record their fourth consecutive win at Swansea City tomorrow, but Danny Guthrie (calf), Haris Vuckic (knee) will both be missing.

James Perch is also struggling with a slight knock, but is expected to fly down to south Wales with the squad today.

Captain Fabricio Coloccini will also miss the trip to the Liberty Stadium, but he could return when Bolton Wanderers visit St James' Park on Easter Monday.

"I spoke to him (Coloccini) this morning and he's going to give himself a good chance for Bolton, and try and concentrate on being fit for that," Pardew revealed.

"He isn't going to be far away so if he doesn't play it's probably going to be me deciding it's too risky rather than him. Knowing him, he'll want to play.

"Haris has taken a bit of a knock in training, which is a bit of a shame, because he's been looking sharp so that's a blow."

n Newcastle have recalled James Tavernier from his loan spell at MK Dons.

The highly-rated defender joined the League One side until the end of the season in January, but Pardew has decided to recall the 20-year-old in order to bolster his defensive options in the Premier League run-in.

Newcastle's final home game of the season against Manchester City will now be televised.

The fixture, on Sunday, May 6, will kick-off at 1.30pm after Sky Sports picked the match for a live broadcast. It means a half-an-hour switch in start time, after it was originally set for a 2pm kick-off.