"There's nothing concrete other than I am very hopeful after one or two conversations with Newcastle
"There are a few things that need tidying up and I am hopeful - I would be pretty disappointed if it went against us at this point.
"And I'd have to say in the face of some pretty tough competition from Championship clubs who are offering considerable amounts of money to take this boy. But it looks as if he's going to stay and looks to me this is the place he wants to stay and continue his progression, and we're obviously happy with that.
"I have had conversations with Steve McClaren in the past but I generally leave that to Mark Venus now. But I heard his message in the press conference on Friday and I'm sure that is the same message he has given to me already.
"I think it just hadn't been ratified above him but I am pretty hopeful that will be done in the next day or two, probably even as we are talking, that we can get that done."