Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has revealed that he still intends to play in the Champions League.

Sissoko was expected to leave Newcastle this summer in a bid to boost his hopes of playing in Europe's premier club competition but surprisingly, the Frenchman decided to stay put at St. James' Park.

Now Sissoko has stated that he wants to play in the Champions League on a consistent basis but decided to remain at Newcastle as he is more concerned about earning regular minutes on the pitch to push for a regular spot in the French national team.

Sissoko told the Chronicle: "I am at Newcastle, I have the chance to play every weekend, to evolve in a fantastic stadium. What I miss is to play leading roles. I would like to (play in the Champions League), I hope to one day.

"Look at those who play in my position (for France): Blaise (Matuidi) who did extraordinary things for PSG, Paul (Pogba) who is wonderful for Juventus, Yohan Cabaye who has just signed for Crystal Palace and Morgan Schneiderlin who is now at Manchester United. Compared to me, they all play in big clubs.

"The (France) coach has said and repeated, you have to play. I took it into account. I am in Newcastle but it is not a 'Big Four' club and I do not forget that the media focus on bigger clubs than mine and (yet some of their players) are not called (up by Didier Deschamps)."