Demba Ba has revealed he found rumours he could leave Newcastle in January "funny" after insisting he is happy at St James' Park.

Ba: Happy to stay at Newcastle

The Senegal striker has been a revelation on Tyneside since joining the Magpies last summer from West Ham and has scored 16 goals in 20 Premier League appearances.

Last month's transfer window prompted a flurry of speculation that Ba could move on after it emerged the forward has a release clause in his contract.

Ba was linked with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, but stressed he never had any intention of seeking a move away from Newcastle.

"I never talked to anyone to say I wanted to leave," said Ba. "I was just listening to people saying: 'He's going there, he's going there, he's going there' and I had a big smile on my face. It was funny to me.

"The most important thing is being happy with your football and I am happy here."

Ba returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty to score in Sunday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa to maintain the Magpies' push for Champions League qualification.

He added: "I look at the table and think 'fifth? Woah!' We just need to continue our road, continue doing what we're doing this season and see where we are in the end.

"We need to keep our focus but as long as we do that, we'll have some very good games. I don't want to talk about exactly where we'll finish because it depends on a lot of things but as long as we keep going we'll be a dangerous side."

The 26-year-old's compatriot Papiss Cisse marked his debut with the winner against Villa and Ba is confident the January signing will be a big hit at Newcastle.

"It was a great signing," said Ba. "I was very happy when he signed.

"I wasn't too bothered who we signed as long as we got a new striker it would help us. But fortunately for me it was someone from my country who I know well and I know how good he is.

"He talked to me before he signed a little bit. I just said to him 'Go on - sign'. He asked everything about Newcastle - how were the supporters, the club.

"I've not told him everything because I want him to see for himself what it is like here. But he's going to see it now. He loved the reception he got."