Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is desperate for 22-year-old French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia to stay at the club.

The 22-year-old Frenchman's future has been in doubt since the turn of the year, when he told Keegan shortly after his arrival as manager that he wanted to leave and quotes attributed to the former Le Havre player this summer have suggested his feelings have not changed.

Keegan said: "He has worked very hard, and he's a very valuable player because he can play in two or three different positions."

He added: "Charles' pre-season has been absolutely tremendous. That's a massive boost for me because I did not know quite how he would come back. But he has returned absolutely spot-on.

"I haven't talked with him. I don't ask players if they want to stay. They have got contracts.

"His attitude tells me, 'Yes', but I don't ask them."

Keegan revealed after the game at Victoria Park that he hopes to make four more significant signings after landing Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez and Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie to date, and could do without losing such a versatile player as N'Zogbia.