Fabricio Coloccini says Newcastle United teammate Sebastien Bassong is capable of breaking into France's World Cup squad.

Coloccini told the Evening Chronicle: "Seb has been our best player. I don't know about the whole season, but in our last 10 or 12 games he has been very, very good.

"I had not heard of him before he came here. When I look at how well he has done, it is a big surprise.

"Today, I asked him if he has played for France.

"He said no, but I think in the next two or three months he will.

"Maybe I will play against him in the World Cup next year. I hope so, because he is a great player and a good person."