MEHDI ABEID is banking on the Africa Cup of Nations being given the go-ahead after taking a huge step closer to appearing in the finals by proving he can mix it in the Premier League.

Abeid is on international duty for the first time this week, called up by Algeria for the qualifiers with Ethiopia and Mali.

Algeria are already assured of a place in next year’s showpiece, so coach Christian Gourcuff is keen to look at his options as he works on his squad for the finals.

Abeid’s displays for Newcastle have impressed Gourcuff and the midfielder hopes to be handed at least one cap before he turns out for the Magpies against Queens Park Rangers next Saturday.

“It's my first time with the senior national team, I'm really happy I've been called up, it's great for me,” admitted Abeid. “I just want to stay in the manager’s thinking and grow from there.”

Frustratingly for the 22-year-old, his big international chance has coincided with serious doubts surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations taking place.

Morocco were due to host the event but it was stripped of hosting rights because of a refusal to commit to the scheduled dates early next year due to the fears over Ebola.

There have been applications to replace Morocco – including from World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar - and the Confederation of African Football insist the tournament will take place in a different country.

Abeid certainly hopes so and he is focused on turning in performances for Newcastle to stay in Gourcuff’s thinking in the build up to the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from January 17 to February 8.

"Of course, it's in my mind that I want to go,” said Abeid. “It will depend on the choices the manager makes.

"I have a chance, and I will try to do my best. The most important thing is to play for Newcastle. We will see what will be after that.

"I want to impose myself for Newcastle, and then think of my national team. My first thought is to play a lot of games for Newcastle and things are going well at the moment for me.”

With Cheik Tiote set to return against QPR after a hamstring problem, manager Alan Pardew will have a decision to make over his midfield. Abeid, one of the best performers in wins over Manchester City, Liverpool and West Brom, deserves to stay in the starting line-up. He said: “We are doing our best and hopefully me and Cheik can play together. We'll see what will be in the next game.”

Abeid spent last season on loan at Greek club Panathinaikos and his time in Athens has led to his renaissance on Tyneside.

On the evidence of the standard of his performances at club level, he could be in the thick of Pardew’s plans for the rest of the campaign.

The Newcastle boss also hopes to strengthen in January and a new striker remains high in the club’s thinking, despite Ayoze Perez showing he has the ability to compete with Papiss Cisse for a starting spot up front.

It was claimed in Turkey that Pardew is continuing to monitor Demba Ba’s situation. The former Newcastle striker has scored ten goals since moving to Besiktas for £5m in the summer and Premier League clubs have been in touch.

Besiktas have quoted a figure of around £8m to interested clubs, and at the age of 29 that would not slot in to Newcastle’s transfer policy under Mike Ashley.

Young midfielder Gael Bigirimana, meanwhile, is back on Tyneside after a few days training with Yeovil Town. The Glovers are interested in taking him back, but for now he is still looking for somewhere to play first team football after falling out of contention under Pardew.

Yeovil boss Gary Johnson said: “It was just an initial contact because we have got six loans and cannot take seven. He was a good lad, a nice fellow and we will keep an eye on the situation.”