N'Zogbia happy on Tyneside

Frenchman denies exit talk

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th May 2008

NZogbia Charles

N'Zogbia: Winger not a fighter

Charles N'Zogbia insists that he has no desire to leave Newcastle despite speculation to the contrary.

The French winger was reported to have been involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Abdoulaye Faye, leading to suggestions that he was set to quit the club.

However, N'Zogbia has denied that he was involved in a scuffle with the giant Senegalese defender and has reiterated his desire to remain at St James' Park.

Fight

"I am happy at Newcastle United and, to tell the truth, I have always been," he said.

"At the moment, all I am concentrating on is playing for the French Under 21 squad in Sweden at the end of this month and then, like the rest of the Newcastle squad, looking at what players we are going to get in the close season.

"I have been at Newcastle since I was 17 and I have never been involved in a fight with anyone.

"And why would I pick a fight with Abdoulaye Faye? Not only is he a friend of mine, but he is also a little bit bigger than me."

Discussions

N'Zogbia has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past and was believed to have grown frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities under Kevin Keegan.

The Magpies boss has admitted holding talks with the former Le Havre ace in regards to his future, but as yet the results of those discussions have yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have refused to comment on reports that former England U21 boss Peter Taylor is set to join the club's coaching ranks.

The former Leicester and Crystal Palace boss has been out of work since resigning from his post at Stevenage at the end of April.

It is understood that he would be brought to St James' Park in order to work with the youth academy.