"When Jermaine arrived I really thought the club would look at me and decide to cash in," the young Geordie lad told The Journal today.
"We had just signed a player in my position, who was younger than me, for a huge amount of money. I did fear the worst.
"But before we all broke off for the summer the manager took me to one side and we both had our say. I admitted I was disappointed not to get back into the first team at the end of last season and he told me to bide my time and wait for my chance this season.
"Bobby assured me I had a future and pointed out how many games we were going to play next season. With the Premiership, Champions League and two domestic cup competitions to come we'll need a big squad and he persuaded me I should be part of it."