Newcastle boss Chris Hughton insists Norwich's highly-rated on loan keeper Fraser Forster has a big St James' Park future. Paul Lambert's first Carrow Road signing attracted reported interest from a clutch of Premier League admirers during the January transfer window with Stoke the latest club linked to the 21-year-old following north London giants Spurs and Arsenal.

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton insists Norwich's highly-rated on loan keeper Fraser Forster has a big St James' Park future.

Paul Lambert's first Carrow Road signing attracted reported interest from a clutch of Premier League admirers during the January transfer window with Stoke the latest club linked to the 21-year-old following north London giants Spurs and Arsenal.

The Championship leaders allowed Forster to extend his initial Norwich stay until the end of the current season - but Hughton is well aware the Hexham-born shot stopper has earned rave reviews during City's League One title charge.

“He's under contract, and he's not for sale,” reiterated the Magpies' boss. “Fraser's doing very well at Norwich. Where we're fortunate is that he comes back here a couple of days a week, so we're still able to keep in contact with Fraser. It's not a case that he's gone on loan for a year and will only be watched occasionally, and we don't see him. We're seeing him very regularly, and very fortunate in the two young goalkeepers we've got.

“There would be teams watching him, as there will be teams watching all young players. Every club has a scouting system, and that's what they do, but we've not heard anything. For me, that's normal. It's not a problem. What would happen is exactly the same as Tim (Krul) - clubs would be aware they are good young goalkeepers.”

Forster admitted recently he faced a major battle to dislodge current Newcastle number one Steve Harper next season should the Geordies clinch an instant Premiership return.

"Obviously I think I'll be back to Newcastle because I'm just playing games here and getting experience,” he said. “I've got a long-term contract there, so I'll be going back and hopefully pushing for the number one - but it's not easy when there is Steve Harper there as well.

“We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Obviously I want to kick on and make it at Newcastle. If your football is going well it makes your whole life easy and if it's not going well, wherever you are, life is not great. But I'm absolutely delighted to be here.”