Lack of goals is a problem admits Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew

Pardew’s side have failed to score in three of their opening four Premier League games.

And his team, which was over-reliant on on-loan Loic Remy’s 14 goals last season, looks short of a goalscorer.

Pardew, who still has the backing of owner Mike Ashley, had claimed in the build-up to Saturday’s visit to Southampton that he was confident his new-look side had a potent enough attack.

But in the wake of the club’s 4-0 defeat at the St Mary’s, Pardew, who could be without the injured Rolando Aarons until November, has admitted he is “worried” by a lack of goals ahead of Saturday’s home game against Hull City.

“The worry is how many goals we’re going to score,” said Pardew, whose team entertain Hull City on Saturday.

“I think we’re aware of that, and (on Saturday) we had chances and didn’t take them.

“So it’s something we need to work on, get a balance to the team and try and get a formula that’s going to get us some goals.”

Meanwhile, Aarons – who scored one and set up another of the club’s three league goals – is facing a lengthy lay-off with the hamstring problem he suffered during the international break.

Pardew had already lost forward Siem de Jong to long-term injury with the summer signing likely to be sidelined until next year with a thigh injury.

On-loan striker Facundo Ferreyra, yet to make his United debut, has a back problem and 19-year-old striker Adam Campbell has had a hernia operation and faces up to six weeks out.

Emmanuel Riviere, who has led the line up to now, is yet to open his account for the Magpies, but Pardew has little alternative but to persevere with him until the return of Papiss Demba Cisse from injury.

Cisse is close to a comeback after recovering from a fractured kneecap suffered late last season, though he won’t be fit in time to face Hull City.