There is always going to be a lot of focus in France on the Newcastle ‘experiment’, though maybe this interest will shortly recede with Alan Pardew declaring his intention to recruit British rather than foreign players. In the shorter term though, one of Newcastle’s January signings has been given the green light to head back to France.

Reported Newcastle United had Montpelier captain Yanga-Mbiwa watched at the weekend, early this month the player declared an interest in coming to Tyneside.