The 26-year-old midfielder was the main target for abuse after the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City eight days ago.

However, suggestions continued criticism would force Parker out of Newcastle have been dismissed by the player.

"The manager made me captain last year and it (criticism) hurts, of course it does - I have feelings," he said.

"But there was never any question in my mind I would leave here. I've been playing some good football and they (Newcastle) are close to my heart."

Ironically, Parker was applauded off the pitch after playing 56 minutes of yesterday's 2-1 victory at Sheffield United which eased any lingering relegation worries.

Afterwards he said he was just happy to be able to do a job for the team as the Magpies ended a run of four Barclays Premiership matches without a win.

"It wasn't hard (going out onto the field)," said Parker, who could miss tomorrow's visit of Arsenal because of the ankle injury which forced him off at Bramall Lane.

"It is the job and you have to go out there and be professional and do the best you can and I like to think I did that while I was on the field.

"You are always delighted when people are saying nice things about you and when you feel you are being supported and being wanted there is no better feeling.

"It hasn't been easy the last few weeks. We have had a lot of pressure from all angles; at times from our own fans, and rightly so at times and I suppose that comes with playing at a big club.

"I think we know what to listen to and we know what to believe and as long as we stay confident in ourselves and believe in each other we can get results."

Parker knows he has the full support of Glenn Roeder, the man who handed him the armband, and the manager has publicly backed his skipper.

"Scott Parker, who I think didn't have any critics to answer to, is very well respected in our dressing room and they - as far as I'm concerned - are the only people that Scott needs to have the respect of," said Roeder.

"If you knew the man if you could see what he is like after a defeat in the dressing room, it hurts him badly.

"If he was player that didn't give his best you could understand supporters moaning but he gives his all.

"The players respect him immensely; he is not a vocal captain but he leads through example. It hurt him after last week's game to get the criticism that he got but he won't be leaving the club, he is a fighter.

"In view of how badly he got criticised last week by everybody, including the media, I think he went out and, while he was on, played very much a captain's role.

"Scott covered nearly every blade of grass, winning tackles he probably shouldn't have won."

Parker may yet miss the Arsenal match but he believes the way Newcastle recovered from letting Sheffield United back into the game will have helped the players in the remainder of the season.

"Winning instils confidence. Before yesterday it was a little bit low but now it is much better," added the midfielder, who revealed he dislocated his right thumb in the first half against the Blades but managed to put it back in place before the physio had chance to treat him.

"We have got a tough game on Monday. We have another tough one against Chelsea at home (on April 22) but we have got some good fixtures in there. We can hopefully get up the table and get as many points as we can.

"It has been a disappointing year, there is no hiding that. We've had a lot of injuries - not using that as an excuse - but we all know we could have done better at times but we have to draw a line under this season and hopefully come back better and stronger next year.

"Games like yesterday only help that."