Nicos Dabizas insists he would love to stay at Newcastle United - but adds that he will seek talks at the end of the season if he is not getting first-team football.

And while Dabizas - who made his first start since November against Manchester City - says the club is right to strengthen its squad, he believes the search for another centre-half could be unsettling United's young defenders.

The Greek international was part of the defence which kept a clean sheet against City on Saturday and he is desperate to line up against Bolton tomorrow.

But Dabizas - in a frank interview - admits that he will be looking to settle his future in the summer should he have another extended spell on the substitutes bench.

"I have 18 months left on my contract and at the end of the season if there is five or six centre halves and I'm not playing regularly I will sit down with the manager and see where I stand," said Dabizas (pictured).

"It would be logical to discuss my future but that doesn't change my attitude. But one way or another I have to settle my future.

"If they want me to stay it is a good thing but if they don't it is not up to me.

"As I've said before you never know what will happen. I cannot say whether I will leave or stay but I'm totally committed to this club."

Dabizas - signed by Kenny Dalglish in 1998 for £2 million and now in his fifth season with Newcastle - has seen off challenges from the likes of Marcelino, Alain Goma and Franck Dumas during his time at St James's Park.

And he believes talk of bringing in another centre-back is nothing new to a club whose defence has always come under the microscope. But Dabizas does believe it could unsettle United's promising young defenders.

He added: "If I'm really honest with you, for the past five seasons I've seen this situation before. The fans were asking for central defenders under Ruud Gullit and he bought three of them.

"After three or four months there was just Goma in the team then he left. None of the three is now left at United and the club spent £11 million on them.

"I've been here five years. People who know the history of the club know it's always been like that and if the manager and board want to buy a centre-half it's fine by me.

"But I don't know how the young boys like Andy O'Brien, Titus Bramble and Aaron Hughes feel if they wake up every morning and see the club is not happy with its defenders and that they cannot defend properly away from home.

"If we ask most of the fans they will say that but it's more pressure on these young lads. I've seen that before.

"If the club buys a quality player they have all the right to do that. Only time will tell what will happen but I won't let it affect my game or attitude."

The Evening Chronicle