Last Updated: Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:08
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has revealed his admiration of Swansea striker Danny Graham ahead of tomorrow's clash between the two sides.
Pardew admits he did consider signing the Gateshead-born marksman in the summer after a recommendation from the former Watford manager Malky Mackay.
In the end the Magpies missed the boat as Graham moved on to Swans for £3.5m last July and he has since repaid the South Wales outfit for 10 goals in their debut Premier League season.
However, Pardew wouldn't be surprised if the 26-year-old former Middlesbrough marksman eventually returns to his roots and join his boyhood team.
He told The Gazette: "Who knows? There might be a day when he comes back to the North East.
"I wouldn't say he got away but I knew about him, because Malky had tipped me off.
"We just didn't have enough on him. We couldn't do enough work in terms of whether he was going to fit the bill for us.
"He's had a marvellous season. He's done really well. We will have to be on our guard against him, because he's their out-and-out finisher.
"All that clever stuff they do when they keep the ball all ends with him scoring. So if you stop him scoring, it makes it difficult for them to score."
Have you an opinion on this story? Put your money where your mouth is and claim a free £25 bet.
