Alan Pardew has told Newcastle’s French speaking players they are to return next season with a better grasp of the English language, “so they can give the right image of themselves and the club”.

There are currently ten French speaking players at Newcastle and there have reportedly been rifts in the dressing room, between the large French speaking contingent and the rest of the squad. The club has endrued a tough season, narrowly avoiding relegation.

Pardew told reporters he has decided to do away with interpreters in the dressing room, and insists the players but improve their English communication skills for next season.

“Most of the French boys have picked up English pretty well,” he said.

“The initial tactic of bringing in interpreters has gone.

“We don’t have them in the dressing room now. The message has got home a bit better. Next year, they need to understand English more, particularly when dealing with the media, so they can give the right image of themselves and the club.”