Former Newcastle United midfielder Chris Waddle is convinced their January signings promise an exciting future.

He believes the landing of almost a full team inspired by chief scout Graham Carr will lead to United retaining their PL status despite a disastrous run of away defeats.

Waddle told the Evening Chronicle: "They are certainly better than what Newcastle had.

"French players are physically and technically very good and that is what is benefitting my old club.

"Yohan Cabaye is an outstanding player, the forerunner who encouraged the signing of more of his countrymen.

"He has great vision and technical ability and has a licence to go and play where he believes he is best utilised.

"Not a free role but not exclusively a sitter either.

"His big mate Mathieu Debuchy is a French international, which speaks volumes, and Moussa Sissoko is a relentless box-to-box player.

"However, he needs to score more often if he is to be used as the support to their front man Papiss Cisse."