Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew and midfielder Cheick Tiote both hope the prospect of European football next season will assist in retaining the club's star players.

The Toon propelled themselves into the fourth Champions League qualification place after Saturday's win over Stoke City and are already assured of a Europa League spot, with sixth position the lowest the club can now finish after completing six consecutive wins.

Such has been their success that a number of their star players have been linked with moves away from the Sports Direct Arena, with Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and Tim Krul among those being reportedly targeted this summer by a spate of the Premier League's elite.

But Pardew said: "I am hoping that we get to such a point where there are not really many places above where they can go. That is what we really want.

"I have played in a very good Crystal Palace side which finished third in this division and I had a very good side at West Ham but [I have] not had the camaraderie of this group.

"I hope that means the players we have got all want to stay and we can do it all again next year, because clubs will look at these players now and try and take them off our hands."

Cheick Tiote
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Tiote.

Another of those being touted as a potential transfer target is Tiote, who since joining Newcastle in 2010 has been among the club's most consistent performers.

Chelsea have been mentioned on a number of occasions with having an interest in Tiote, who has 29 caps for the Ivory Coast.

The 25-year-old midfielder echoes Pardew's sentiments, and hopes keeping the club's best players will be the main benefit of qualifying for Europe.

"For a long time the fans have not had European football but now, next season, we will be in European competition," Tiote said.

"It is great for the club, the fans and for everyone. It will definitely convince players to stay.

"It is important. If the team is playing in Europe, it is better for us to keep our best players.

"It will be difficult to keep our very best players if we are not playing in Europe, so to achieve this is good."

With Frank Lampard entering the twilight of his playing days and Michael Essien's injury problems affecting his Chelsea form since his return, Tiote would provide an ideal replacement for either of the pair.

However, Chelsea's only route in the Champions League, which Tiote's Newcastle look favourites to qualify for, would be to win the competition, but with Barcelona and either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid to bypass, their chances appear slim.

Real Madrid