The Magpies are struggling with injuries to the likes of Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson.
Pardew is keen to bring in Montpellier skipper Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and PSV Eindhoven star Erik Pieters next month.
“The injuries are our biggest concern now,” Pardew said. “We’ve had a brilliant season so far, but injuries are going to come our way and you have to cope with it.
“We’re coming into games now [that] we know are winnable, and could let us back into that top four.
“But at some point in the season you’re going to get into difficult situations and it looks like we’re in a difficult one – but the spirit of the group will remain strong as we go to the next game.
“I was pleased with James Perch [against Chelsea] because he came on in a really intense game against a top player, and although he started shaky he got better as the game went on and that was pleasing.
“We’ve been a bit unlucky in these three games, we’ve not had our best squad to pick from, yet my team are competitive.”
