Cheick Tiote insists he wants to remain with Newcastle United amidst more transfer speculation surrounding him.
The 26-year old Ivory Coast midfielder is constantly being linked with a summer departure from the North East but he says he is very happy with the Magpies and has no plans to leave anytime soon especially with the Europa League campaign imminent.
"Yes. I am still a Newcastle player. I am very happy here," he told the Evening Chronicle.
"All I am looking at is that the season ahead of us will be a really good one, just like last season.
"Last season we finished fifth and doing that again will be difficult."
He added: "I am ready for the challenge with Newcastle. It's a new season, and I think we have a lot of things to do.
"We will be playing in two competitions and it's going to be difficult."
