Jamaal Lascelles insists he's staying with Newcastle United.

The defender committed himself to playing for Rafa Benitez after a summer of speculation over his future.

At Newcastle's training camp in Dublin, Lascelles said: “I'm happy here, I'm a Newcastle player, I'm still tied down to a long contract.

“It's about having a good pre-season and starting the season well.

“I'm playing every week, the fans love me, for me to lose that would be quite upsetting. Obviously I am captain.

“I've always had a bit of speculation, since I was 16 there have been teams interested. My dad has always said to me, 'concentrate on your football and that will take care of itself'. At the minute I am just working hard.

“I have played a lot of games. I am 24 and it's important for me to carry on playing games because that's how you develop."