According to Sky Sports News the St James' Park academy graduate has agreed a deal worth somewhere in the region of £35,000 per week.

The news would bring to an end to a saga which has been ongoing for some time, and stops any further speculation surrounding the defender's future.

The 22-year-old has never made any secret of his desire to remain at his hometown club and his commitment to the cause has never been questioned among the Magpies faithful.

The England U21 captain has been a regular member of the first-team squad at Newcastle since making his debut back in 2004 and will be delighted to have laid to rest an issue which had threatened to undermine the club's pre-season preparations.