Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce was delighted to clinch the signing of Bolton Wanderers defender Abdoulaye Faye on Friday.

He told the Evening Chronicle: "Faye's going to give us something that we need in the team, both as a centre half and as a central midfield player.

"He's got the ability to play football like everybody else, but he also has the ability to destroy the opposition with his attributes in his positional play, heading ability, tackling, physical strength and his determination to win the ball and stop the opposition playing.

"I think that's growing with our side, but he's been born with it."