ALAN PARDEW is banking on Cheik Tiote returning to match fitness after learning Mehdi Abeid will not face Queens Park Rangers this Saturday.

Abeid’s first senior international call-up was ruined when he suffered a broken toe in training with Algeria and he is having to hobble around on crutches. He was forced to miss the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Ethiopia.

The 22-year-old has flown back to Tyneside, and has already indicated that he will not be available for the next fortnight at least.

Abeid tweeted: “Will be out for a couple of weeks after a clash with a team-mate in training. (I’m) disappointed to be heading home. I’m sad to not have honoured my first selection for the national team. I’m hoping to come back stronger than ever.”

His enforced absence has arrived on the back of his emergence on to the first team stage with Newcastle. Abeid has slotted into the heart of the midfield and turned in impressive displays against Manchester City, Liverpool and West Brom.

The former RC Lens midfielder, who spent a successful loan at Panathinaikos last season, has performed well as the holding midfielder while Tiote has been battling with a calf / shin problem.

Pardew, who can also play Vurnon Anita or Jack Colback there, hopes Tiote will be available when QPR travel to St James’ Park this weekend.

But if the Magpies are to claim a sixth straight win then they will have to do it with one of the biggest injury lists in the Premier League.

Abeid’s injury means he is the tenth first team squad member struggling with a problem, which includes defenders Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon. The situation has led to Remie Streete being recalled from a loan at Port Vale.

Newcastle striker Adam Armstrong scored, along with Callum Connolly and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, to give Enngland Under-18s a 3-2 win in Poland.