Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew believes that his decision to keep Yohan Cabaye at the club has been "validated" after the midfielder's performance against Ukraine on Tuesday evening.

Cabaye helped France come from behind on aggregate to qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil, and Pardew has insisted that he was right to prevent the former Lille player from joining Arsenal in the summer.

The 52-year-old told reporters: "Yohan's performance this week has validated what we did in the summer in not letting him go.

"I went to see Portugal and one or two of their players went for big, big money and I don't think they are as good as Yohan.

"Yohan proved that on Tuesday night. He was called 'Le Petit Prince" the next day in L'Equipe, and that's what he was. He's a fantastic player."

Cabaye has netted twice in nine appearances for the Magpies this season.