West Ham United midfielder Kevin Nolan has insisted that he is on good terms with his former employers Newcastle United.

Nolan returned to Tyneside on Sunday for the first time since his switch to London-based West Ham in the summer of 2011 and scored the only goal of the game as the visitors claimed maximum points.

Despite reports claiming that he had fallen out with the Newcastle board over a new contract prior to his move away, Nolan has revealed that he holds "no animosity" towards anyone that is connected with the club.

"People have opinions. I'm a big man and I can take them. I needed to get the best for me and they needed to get what they felt was the best for them," the 30-year-old told reporters.

"I'd shake the owner's hand as willingly as I'd shake Alan's Pardew because I got on well with them, they were good to me. I hope there is no animosity between us. I built up a great relationship with people while I was here."

Nolan joined Newcastle in 2009 following a 10-year stint with Bolton Wanderers.