Eddie Howe explains decision to hand Newcastle United extension to 'hugely important' Mark Gillespie

Newcastle United have confirmed a new one-year contract for squad man Mark Gillespie.

The former Carlisle United and Motherwell stopper will stretch his service with the Magpies to half a decade after agreeing a the extension to his existing deal. The 32-year-old was the hero on Newcastle's recent jaunt to Australia when saving a penalty from Bryan Gil in the shoot-out victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

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Gillespie will now provide competition in the goalkeeper department for another year, he said: "I’m delighted to be extending my contract into next season. This is the club I grew up supporting and it’s a hugely exciting time to be a part of it.

"We have a brilliant group in the dressing room and at the training ground, and it’s a great environment to work in. I’m already looking forward to pre-season and to getting back onto the grass."

Eddie Howe had singled Gillespie out for praise in Australia while Dan Burn made a point in running over to the keeper to celebrate his penalty save. Howe said: said: "Mark’s attitude to his work and his consistency are of the highest order.

"He continues to set an example in how he trains, plays and supports his team-mates, and that’s a hugely important component in any squad. I’m delighted to have him with us."

One of Newcastle's dressing room leadership group members Dan Burn underlined the importance of Gillespie last week. Burn said: "That was a bit of a laugh, but it was from the heart too, Mark Gillespie has been here a long time and he's a big, big part of our team. People don't get to see that at weekends. So it was just to show appreciation to him.

"I think we have a group that are together here and this shows it. This is probably the best squad I have ever played with because of that togetherness."