Chris Hughton: “I’m sad to see him go. As an individual, he’s a smashing lad and he always gives his all. He’s a very polite lad, a very hard working lad.
“I don’t know if he’d look back on his Newcastle career with a tinge of regret. In the period of time I’ve been here, he’s had his injuries.
"The last pre-season he did was his first in three years. He was always one if he was ever injured he found it difficult because he just wanted to play.
"I think if he ends up going, it’ll be because of a new challenge and the Premier League but I can’t fault his application or attitude here.
“With my Irish hat on, I think he’s an important player for the national team, if you said to me would I rather him be at Fulham or Newcastle, I’d say Newcastle.”