Newcastle midfielder Charles N'Zogbia is happy to stay at Newcastle if the club want him. The Frenchman said: "In an ideal world, I would want to stay with Newcastle United.

"This is the first time I have spoken about my future, and those quotes attributed to me over the weekend came from my agent back in France.

"Obviously, I am not happy that I have hardly figured in Joe Kinnear's starting line-up recently, but that is up to me to put right."

The 22 year old, who also revealed his non-attendance at a team stroll ahead of Saturday's game at Chelsea was down to a back spasm, said: "This is all out of my hands and if Newcastle do want to sell me, then there is nothing I can do about that.

"But don't forget, I have been at Newcastle for over four years now and I consider this my home - and I now have a big French pal in Sebastien Bassong, who is doing well for us the moment.

"My immediate aim is to get into the team alongside him, starting at Middlesbrough on Saturday."