ALAN Pardew has insisted there are “no problems” between himself and Demba Ba – despite unsettling comments from both the player’s agent and his brother in recent days.

However, it has emerged Ba still has a clause in his contract which could see him leave in January for the same £7m fee he was available at in the summer.

Ba is in talks with United over a new contract and the removal of the clause – yet a deal has yet to be struck due to the player’s astronomical wage demands.

Ba was left out of the Newcastle squad which flew to Madeira for tonight’s Europa League group stage opener against Maritimo.

However, since the Twitter outburst by his agent ahead of the game at Everton on Monday and subsequent interviews with his representative, United manager Pardew has had a conversation with the Senegal ace and ironed out any issues.

Pardew had rested the striker against Everton before having to throw him on in the second half with his side trailing in the match – and he responded with two goals.

He said: “I have no problems with Demba. He’s a key player – trust me.

“He’s a team player and that’s why I signed him. He’ll always be like that.

“I have spoke to him and he’s fine. Some of the comments made are out of his control and out of my control.