JETRO WILLEMS is determined to give Newcastle United “no choice” when it comes to signing him on a permanent deal, with talks over a full-time contract due to take place before the turn of the year.

Willems signed a season-long loan when he joined Newcastle from German club Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, with the terms of the agreement enabling the Magpies to trigger an €11m permanent transfer at the end of the season.

The Dutch international has established himself as a key member of Steve Bruce’s preferred starting line-up, cementing a position at left wing-back and claiming his second goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with reigning champions Manchester City.

He is keen to extend his stay on Tyneside beyond the current campaign, and while his current contractual clause is only due to kick in next summer, there is a good chance the Newcastle hierarchy will attempt to tie up a permanent deal in January in order to ensure the 25-year-old does not opt to head elsewhere.

Willems’ representatives are ready to kick-start formal discussions with both Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt, with the defender hoping his current form has persuaded his temporary employers it is in their interests to move quickly.

“I’m not so concerned about it (his future) at the moment, but if I keep on going, I won’t give Newcastle a choice,” said Willems, in an interview with Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport. When asked whether the fact he was referring to Newcastle as ‘us’ meant he had already decided on his future plans, he added: “Yes, that’s actually right”.

Willems’ second goal in a Newcastle shirt cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s opener at the weekend, and while Manchester City reclaimed their lead thanks to a sensational strike from Kevin de Bruyne, the Magpies levelled for a second time when Jonjo Shelvey also fired home from distance with two minutes left.

Shelvey’s finish capped a fine all-round display that more than justified Bruce’s decision to keep the midfielder in his side despite a below-par display in last week’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

“Did I consider leaving him out? No,” said the Newcastle boss. “I’ve been quietly pleased with him. I thought he was excellent against West Ham, which was only four weeks ago.

“We were disappointing against Aston Villa - I thought we were disappointing as a team and that’s the thing we have to address. But I’ve been really pleased with Jonjo.

“Physically, we have asked him to do stuff he probably wouldn’t have been able to do before or been asked to do before. When I saw his physical stats against Aston Villa, they were terrific.”

Saturday’s result leaves Manchester City 11 points adrift of Liverpool in the race for the title, a huge margin given both sides have only played 14 games. In his various title-winning campaigns across Europe, Pep Guardiola has never had to claw back such a sizeable gap, but Bruce does not feel City’s hopes of retaining their crown are over.

“I still think they’re a quality act,” he said. “As good as you’re going to get. We’re only 14 games in, and when the tickly bit starts, next Easter, come and tell me. If they’re eight, nine points (behind) then (it might be different).”

Newcastle return to action at Sheffield United on Thursday, and Bruce accepts he will have to manage his squad carefully.

“I’m already thinking of changes,” he said. “That’s something I also believe we will have to do in January because of the amount of games we have to play.”