In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 150 appearances for Newcastle United during his career, has claimed that Kyle Bartley is not the sort of singing fans want to see, but admits it could be a good one.

Newcastle United have been linked with the West Brom centre back who is out of contract in the summer, so has similarities to when the Magpies swooped for both Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser last year.

The £13,500-per-week defender has been able to prove his qualities both on and off the ball despite the Baggies finding themselves stuck in the relegation zone, and eight points from safety.

Speaking on why Newcastle fans won't want to sign newly-relegated players and how fans must remember Wilson had just been relegated when the Magpies signed, Howey told FFC:

"Newcastle need players in that have got more quality and you look at when Bournemouth went down they got their carcass picked by Premier League clubs, but he would be somebody that you'd look at and think he probably could add something to the squad.

"As far as Newcastle fans are concerned they'll be thinking it's another player that's been relegated and we're signing him, but the same happened when they signed Wilson."

Bartley has been a mainstay this season under both Slaven Bilic and Sam Allardyce, however he hasn't been able to stop them conceding a league-high 59 goals.

The Baggies have given themselves a sniff of staying up following two consecutive wins against Chelsea and Southampton, although they are still eight points from safety with seven matches remaining.