Newcastle midfielder Gael Bigirimana would prefer to fight for his place at St James' Park than be sent out on loan. "People can say it's best for me to go on loan, but I'm not going anywhere," Bigirimana told The Shields Gazette.

"I'm going to stay here. I'm going to be patient, and I'm going to work my socks off.

"I showed last year that I didn't look out of place in the big games. That's not being big-headed. That's how I feel I did.

"So I'm not going on loan. My target this season is to fight. You never know how the season can change.

"Patience is the key. In football, you've got to be patient. You've got to stay fit and keep working in training."