AFTER handing out a new eight-year contract to the chief talent-spotter at Newcastle United, Mike Ashley is keen to establish further continuity by agreeing more long-term deals with staff.

And manager Alan Pardew, who still has three years to run on his existing deal, is looking for improved terms at St James' Park to reflect the success he has had in his first 18 months on Tyneside.

Chief scout Graham Carr was surprised and quick to accept a deal this week which takes him beyond his 75th birthday and that is a indication of Ashley's push for stability.

Not only does he want his prize assets to commit to long-term deals, which will ensure they retain decent resale value, but the club's wealthy owner feels securing the futures of the non-playing staff could be just as essential.

The Newcastle boss' stock has never been higher after being named both the Barclays Premier League and the League Managers' Association manager of the year last month.

After lifting Newcastle up to fifth in the Premier League last season, Pardew is gearing up for their first campaign in Europe since the 2006-07 season after working wonders last season.

The Newcastle boss, who arrived on a five-year deal in December 2010, is understood to be hoping for an improved deal - he is currently not among the best paid managers in the division.

Pardew will spend the next month waiting to hear if Newcastle's transfer targets are any closer to happening.

He is not expecting any major incomings until after Euro 2012 has finished on July 1, meaning it could be deep in to pre-season before any more new signings follow Romain Amalfitano to Tyneside.

Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy is high on their list, and Inter Milan are also keen.

Carr has included Debuchy on a list of players to be monitored, but they will not overspend.

That policy worked so far, with Carr's success rate high after bringing the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote and Papiss Cisse to St James' Park.

Ben Arfa's form for Newcastle has been excellent since the turn of the year and he will have a key role to play for France over the next few weeks, starting against England on Monday.

Such has been his return to top form that further impressive roles for the French could lead to increased interest in him from around Europe.

But Ben Arfa, a £5m permanent arrival from Marseille, is not thinking about leaving just 18 months after joining the Magpies.

He said: "If I don't have a really very, very serious proposition I will stay. If a big club comes but doesn't propose me something very exciting, which means the coach really wants me, I will stay.

"If I don't feel trust from the coach at 100 per cent, I will not leave. I have three years remaining on my contract, but I know it can go quickly."

Ben Arfa has acknowledged the role of those around him in his revival from injury. He said: "Newcastle are a very big club, even if there are bigger ones.

"I have settled in that team, I have trust from the coach, chairman and all the fans. I have never been settled like that.

"I feel important. That is just wonderful. I don't forget when the chairman signed me, while I was just loaned from Marseille and I was injured."