Pardew denies he moved for Thierry Henry

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has rejected claims he made a bid to bring former Arsenal star Thierry Henry to St James' Park.

GettyImagesHenry: No Premier League return

Pardew is currently nursing a selection headache, with his striking options limited following Andy Carroll's departure and Shola Ameobi facing a spell on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone. Reports had suggested Pardew was eager to bring in New York Red Bulls forward Henry to the club although he admitted he would have been unable to engineer a move for the 33-year-old. Regarding a swoop for Henry, Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "I don't think that's possible." Despite the fact Newcastle fought back from 4-0 down to draw with Arsenal on Saturday, the lack of strikers available is a major concern for Pardew and he admits he may have to turn to free agents to strengthen his squad with former Middlesbrough front man Jeremie Aliadiere a potential prospect. "I haven't even thought about it [moving in the free transfer market], if I'm honest, but we will do over the next 48 hours. There are one or two players we are looking at. I don't think we are going to get anyone who could impact on the first team, but on the bench, I need to turn round to that bench and have people who can affect the game. We will look, perhaps, to that market for maybe one or maybe two if necessary."