Newcastle United FC

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Bassong faces contract wait

30 Apr 2009 - 14:24:20

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Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong is happy to put off talks over a new contract until the club's fight against relegation has come to an end.

The 22-year-old has impressed since his arrival from Metz last summer and has another year of his current deal to run.

He told The Chronicle: "I am not thinking about my future. The most important thing is United and staying up.

"We will think about my future at the end of the season, hopefully after we have stayed up and survived."

Meanwhile Magpies boss Alan Shearer has told Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor that they have futures with the club, despite being dropped for the goalless draw at home to Portsmouth.

He commented: "I'm looking for great performances between now and the end of the season.

"We've got to get Kevin into the positions he had at Bolton. We've got to get him on the end of things in the box.

"We've got to get him driving in there and being a threat from set-pieces, because he can do that. He showed it at Bolton.

"I've been asking Ryan to play at right-back, and he's done what he can. I think he wants to play right side of midfield, but he is versatile.

"The good thing about him is wherever I play him, he'll go out and give me his best."