PAPISS CISSE has given Steve McClaren a massive lift by showing signs that he could be fit for action far sooner than expected – even if the Newcastle United head coach is treading carefully.

It was only last weekend when McClaren learned from the medical team that Cisse could be out for three months with the groin strain he suffered in the draw with Aston Villa at St James’ Park on December 19.

But Cisse has surprised the medics and the coaching team at the training ground this week and there is every chance he will be involved in full training again after today’s FA Cup third round trip to Watford.

McClaren explained: “We’ve had second and third opinions, and they have said ‘an operation is that length of time, but you could try it and see how it goes. If it goes again, he’ll have the operation’.

“So he has stepped up, stepped up and stepped up. He’s still a bit to go but it looks like he could train next week. The injury is complicated. It has surprised me. It’s a groin strain. How severe we’ll find out probably the middle of next week. He is running around and smiling.”

Newcastle are working behind the scenes on possible transfer deals this month but there is nothing imminent and McClaren reported that “nothing is happening” and that those are out of his control.

Regardless of whether Cisse does eventually need surgery or he returns to full fitness, a new striker is still in Newcastle’s thinking and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, QPR’s Charlie Austin and Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost are three of those being tracked.

McClaren said: “We don’t want expectations too high, it is part of theatre, media frenzy to put names out there and we will go about our business as normal.

“It’s January we are looking at everything to see what kind of business we can or can’t do. We need to go forward and discussions are ongoing behind closed doors.”

But McClaren still revealed he was more than happy for Adam Armstrong to remain with Coventry until the end of the season, even though he has a shortage of attacking options.

Armstrong has hit 16 goals in 22 games for the Sky Blues to put Tony Mowbray’s men into promotion contention. That has led to a clamour from Newcastle fans to bring the youngster back.

McClaren said: “He is getting great experience there and he is enjoying his football and we will keep him there. Tony Mowbray is looking after him.”

But if Newcastle are to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup they are going to have to come up with a way of stopping a Watford forward line which has caused Premier League problems all season.

Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney, who inspired the Hornets to victory at St James’ earlier this season, will both be involved even if they don’t start and McClaren knows all about them having been in charge of Derby in the Championship next season.

“You have seen Watford’s success and it is not rocket science,” said McClaren. “Deeney and Igahlo have adapted very, very well to the Premier League, to what they were doing last year in the Championship.

“Their goals got them up and their goals have got them to where they are now. Behind that they have a very strong platform and base and the balance of their team is very good.”