Leon Best turned down a move to hometown club Nottingham Forest in order to sign for Newcastle. The 23-year-old striker was courted by several clubs after netting 10 goals for the Sky Blues during the first half of the season but insists he was only ever interested in a move to St James' Park.

He said: "This move happened at the right time for me. It was the easiest decision I've had to make in my career.

"I weighed up my options as there was interest from Nottingham Forest but I'm not sure it's always the best thing to do to go back to your home town.

"There were lots of teams interested, but Newcastle were the only ones willing to put the money in and as soon as I heard that I was on the motorway."

The Republic of Ireland international burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old at Southampton and feels the time is now right for him to shrug off his tag of talented youngster.

"I've been talked about as a player with potential ever since I made my debut at Southampton, but you can't be a player of potential your whole career," he added.

"There has got to be a stage where you move on to the next level and I feel I have got the perfect platform to do that with Newcastle."