James Perch: 'Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has everything'

Newcastle United defender James Perch has insisted that teammate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has the potential to have a "great future" at St James' Park.

Yanga-Mbiwa produced a man-of-the-match performance as Newcastle drew 0-0 with Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League on Thursday night, and Perch believes that is only a sign of things to come from the French centre-back.

The 27-year-old told reporters: "Mapou has everything in his locker – he's quick, a strong runner, heads it well and stays calm.

"If he plays like that every week, he is going to have a great future here."

The Magpies signed Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier during the January transfer window.