Former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard has claimed that Moussa Sissoko deserves to be playing for a Champions League club.

Sissoko was linked with a move away from the Magpies in the summer and has previously been outspoken about his desire to play in the Champions League, and Bernard admits that he agrees his fellow Frenchman should be competing at a higher level.

"In my opinion Sissoko is definitely good enough to play for a Champions League side, no question," Bernard revealed in his column for the Newcastle Chronicle. "His pace and power mean that he can be practically unplayable at times when he is really in full flow and he is just the sort of player top European sides need.

"Sissoko is a proven Premier League performer and can dominate games with his athletic ability.

"Yes he probably should be more consistent but I think he can single-handedly win games for Newcastle at his best – and that means he could play in the Champions League if he wanted to."

Sissoko and Newcastle return to action with a trip to West Ham United on Monday evening.