Neither happened. No right-back - and Simpson is still on the books.
Pardew today launched a staunch defence of Danny Simpson ahead of his return from injury.
Simpson’s expected to start for Newcastle United at St James’s Park against a strong Bordeaux tonight.
The 25-year-old has spent the past month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Simpson has come in for criticism from some quarters, because he wanted a pay rise, but all he was asking was to be in line with other first team players.
However - Pardew didn't regard him as being up to par with the likes of Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson.
However, many fans were frustrated when the club failed in a bid to sign Lille right-back Mathieu Debuchy in the summer.
Alan Pardew: “I just think he’s a good defender.
“I think he’s had some unfair criticism in terms of (me) improving the team by replacing Danny.
“I actually don’t agree with that, especially defensively. We wouldn’t have had the problems we had at Reading (where Newcastle drew 2-2 on Saturday) if Danny had been fit."