Pearson's One And Only

The Magpies are expected to appoint former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce as their new manager next week, while Gerard Houllier and Sven-Goran Eriksson are among those to have been linked with the vacant post in recent days.

Pearson: "There is always going to be speculation. We are aware of the names that are being mentioned, but that is totally out of our control - both the staff and the players.

"The most important thing is that we concentrate on what we can actually affect, and that is the game on Sunday.

"Outside of that, as far as I am concerned, there is no point me sitting here and talking about the speculation because until something happens, there is no mileage in doing that.

"Every player who plays has got the moral obligation to go out and put on the best performance they can. From a personal point of view, they are playing to impress a new manager.

"Glenn brought me in. He is a friend and a close colleague of mine, and it is always disappointing when people you are close to lose their jobs. But that is football, I am afraid. It would be nice to get a win on Sunday, and hopefully that would be for him.

"It is an unfortunate circumstance, but I am a professional person so I will do the job to the best of my abilities.

"I would much rather it not be this way, but it is and you just have to deal with it.

"We have to prepare for a game and there is no mileage in us feeling sorry for ourselves. It is very much a case of us getting on with the job and then there will be time to reflect next week."