Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has admitted fears that Cheik Tiote could abandon the Magpies this summer.

The Ivorian midfielder is contracted to the Sports Direct Arena until 2017, but Llambias believes that the 25-year-old will be a transfer target for a number of rival clubs.

"We'll be losing one or two names this summer, but that'll be regenerated back into the squad," said Llambias. "For instance, Tiote has been with us a year and a half. He is out there. People know he's a good player.

"He's proven in the Premier League, he's not picking up as many yellow cards, he's learning. How are we going to stop a big club from coming in for him? It'll be very hard.

"One thing in our favour is that we now have a very good side and that might encourage the player to stay. But if someone knocks on the door and says they want this or that money, the reality may be that we have to trade."

Tiote moved to Newcastle from FC Twente in 2010.