Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp insists Newcastle boss Alan Pardew deserves credit for turning around his club’s fortunes.

Pardew was a man under pressure from the opening game of the season after results started to head in the wrong direction towards the back end of the 2013-14 campaign.

The Magpies continued to struggle early on this term, failing to win any of their seven opening games and sliding down towards the relegation zone.

However, the North East outfit are now on a run of four league wins on the bounce and have conceded just one goal during that spell.

Newcastle have claimed victories over Tottenham and Liverpool of late and will be keen to continue pushing up the table when they host QPR on Saturday.

Visiting boss Redknapp, who will be in the away dug-out at St James’ Park, has praised Pardew for not folding in difficult circumstances.

Redknapp said: “Alan was coming under all kinds of grief there but he’s done a great job at Newcastle.

“They’ve picked up. Newcastle is a great club, one of the great clubs in English football – the 50,000 fans every week with their black and white shirts on.

“I think he’s doing a really good job and full credit to the chairman who has never looked like buckling under pressure.”

Newcastle are priced at 1.83 for the win this weekend while QPR can be backed at 4.39 to cause an upset as they look to secure some much needed points.