Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear admits Sebastien Bassong has been the club's big success story this season.

He said: "He has probably been our biggest plus, Sebastien, since I put him in there.

"I was led to believe when I got here that he was a left full-back, but since he has been shifted to the middle, he has been one of our best players.

"He has made it very difficult for me to leave him out, and with Steven Taylor being injured, he has seized it.

"He and Coloccini have been outstanding for us. Everybody else now is seeing a new player.

"Most of the players, if they are honest, didn't think that Sebastien would still be in the side as he is now.

"But he has probably been one of our better players on a regular basis."