Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot is adamant the club is no stepping stone for players.
The Toon are threatening a European finish this season.
Elliot said: “This club is not a stepping stone for players anymore and it should never be. Those days are gone. The players here are all young, all hungry, and most importantly they are all wanting to play for this club.
“Last year players left the Premier League to come and play for us down in the Championship and that shows the size of us.
“The age of the players coming in, they're here to develop and get better and take the club forward.
“We're in the top-half of the league and we can keep developing that, not just for this season but hopefully for more to come."