English Premier League strugglers Newcastle United said Thursday that French duo Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux ha left St James' Park by "mutual consent".

Both players' contracts were due to expire at the end of the season and, in a statement, the north-east side said that as they were "almost certainly not going to feature in the Magpies' remaining games of the 2015/16 season, a settlement was agreed earlier this week, allowing them to find new clubs".

Obertan, aged 27, joined Newcastle from Manchester United in August 2011.

The winger made 77 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals, but has not featured for the first team since last September.

Marveaux, 30, also arrived on Tyneside before the start of the 2011/12 season, from French top division Ligue Un side Rennes.

But the midfielder spent much of his time with Newcastle sideline by injury and made just 57 appearances in nearly five years, scoring two goals.

Marveaux spent the 2014/15 campaign on loan at Ligue Un club Guingamp and last played for Newcastle in March 2014.

The Magpies are currently one point above the relegation zone and still not safe from the drop. Their battle to avoid demotion to the second-tier Championship continues away to already-relegated Aston Villa on Saturday.