Gael Bigirimana has revealed how he's acting as a mentor - at 19 - for Newcastle United's young players.

The Toon midfielder turned out for the U21s in their draw at Reading yesterday.

"I was speaking to them when we were coming back from the Reading game and some of them were just asking questions about how it is," he told nufc.co.uk at the Newcastle United Foundation's inaugural Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday evening.

"Some of them had doubts that they might not make it because the Club is buying players and I just broke it down to them. I just told them the truth: if you work hard and if you have the right attitude, with the ability that you have, then they can't release you.

"They have to use you because you've worked hard, you've came from the city and you deserve your reward.

"I was telling them a few of the things they can get away from to put them in a strong position when it comes to the Club making a decision."