Alan Pardew heaps praise on Yohan Cabaye

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has described midfielder Yohan Cabaye as "one of the best in the world" amid speculation over his future at the club.

The Frenchman has recently been linked with a number of teams across Europe, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

"You want to keep hold of your best players and Yohan is one of the best in the world, in my opinion," Sky Sports News quotes Pardew as saying.

"He has been a fantastic asset for us and has conducted himself in the right manner through all the speculation, and I admire him for that.

"It can only be good for his confidence if more and more clubs get involved - good luck to him."

Newcastle start the new Premier League season with a trip to Manchester City on August 19.