Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has refuted suggestions that defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is poised to leave St James' Park in January.
The France international has struggled to live up to his billing since his £7m move from Montpellier in January, prompting speculation that Premier League outfit may cut their losses on the 24-year-old.
However, Pardew believes that the out-of-form defender has the requisite character to eventually prove his mettle in England's top flight.
When asked if a possible transfer could be on the horizon, the former West Ham United boss said: "Everybody has the right to an opinion, but that particular one is not an opinion I share," he told The Independent
"We paid a lot of money for him and you're looking for a bit of character in a player in this situation. That's what we've seen from him.
"He's come out of the side, had a look at it and now he's back in again. I'd like to think he'll show his character."
Yanga-Mbiwa's current deal on Tyneside expires in 2018.
Shane Callaghan
