Titus targets new deal

Titus Bramble has pleaded with Newcastle United to hand him a new contract.

The powerful defender is in the final months of his current deal and he has not yet entered into dialogue over extending his stay on Tyneside.

Magpies chief Glenn Roeder said recently that Bramble had to prove he was worthy of a new contract and the former Ipswich Town man has gone some way to doing this in the last few weeks.

Bramble has formed a solid central-defensive unit with Steven Taylor and is hopeful his displays will prompt the club to enter into talks.

"I want to stay at Newcastle," Bramble told the Daily Mirror. "I love the club and I am settled here.

"Leaving Newcastle would be a massive wrench. There are not many better clubs to play for in Europe than this one.

"I've grown up at this club, both as a footballer and a person, and I'm not thinking about leaving.

"I've not heard anything about a new contract, but I've spoken to the boss and he has told me to go out there, play my football and prove to everyone that I deserve one.

"That's all I can do. The rest is out of my hands, but I am determined to show that I should stay a Newcastle player."