Noble has nothing to fear, says Pardew

Alan Pardew has backed West Ham teenager Mark Noble to shrug off the abuse he is likely to face at Sheffield United on Sunday and help the Hammers reach an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Arsenal.

Noble was at the centre of controversy in the fourth-round at Upton Park when his poor tackle on Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery went unpunished - much to the annoyance of Blades manager Neil Warnock.

The 17-year-old is likely to be given a hostile reception by the Sheffield fans in the replay on Sunday, but West Ham manager Pardew believes his senior players will rally round and protect their young team-mate.

He said: "It was a poor challenge by Mark but he wasn't looking to hurt anybody. When you have a 17-year-old player with his talent in the side then the other players would be looking to protect him anyway. They'll protect him as much as they can."

Pardew believes his squad-strengthening plans could depend on the result of Sunday's clash.

He is keen to recruit at least one new player to his squad for the crucial final third of the season and he said: "We're desperate to do well in the FA Cup for a few reasons, not least that for both us and Sheffield United a victory and the finance that it will bring could help us get another player in.

"A win would also bring the club a big pay day against Arsenal in the next round and give the fans something to relish."

Pardew has Czech Republic defender Tomas Repka available following suspension and also hopes to have Northern Ireland international Steve Lomas back in the squad following injury.

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