Newcastle retain the services of Ba

Staying on Tyneside

Newcastle United's Senegalese striker Demba Ba is set to stay on Tyneside after the deadline to activate his release clause in his contract passed.

The Senegal international had repeatedly expressed his desire to stay at the club, that took a chance on him when everyone had doubts due to his knee problems, and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was confident that the club would retain the services of the 27 year old.

Though, there was speculation that the striker would leave St James Park before the 31 July cut-off with interest from the Premier League runner-ups Manchester United as well as Tottenham Hotspur.

It was understood that the release clause in his contract would have been activated by a bid of £7.5 million.

Ba finished last season as the club's top scorer with a total of 16 goals, three more than his compatriot Papiss Cisse, who was a sensational after his arrival in January from German club Freiburg.

One of Cisse's finest goals came in a 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where he scored an absolutely stunning volley that will be remembered for seasons to come.

All but one of Ba's goals last season came before he went to the African Cup of Nations in January.