Partridge poised to stay

Partridge, who is engaged to Michael Owen's sister, failed to build on an encouraging loan spell at Coventry City as a nagging ankle problem forced him to miss the majority of last season.

With fellow reserve team hopeful Stephen Warnock also set to agree a new contract at a club that has still to install a new manager, many will ponder the impact already being made at the club by incoming boss Rafael Benitez.