CHEIK TIOTE has told Newcastle United not to expect him to make as speedy a return to Tyneside as Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have.

The Ivorian has featured in his side’s two victories in the Africa Cup of Nations, where Francois Zahoui’s team can win Group B outright today against Angola.

With their progression to the next phase assured, Tiote is doubly pleased that Senegal have been eliminated, with Ba and Cisse on their way home and the Ivory Coast can avoid one of the stronger teams in the tournament.

He said: “It helps us that Senegal are out because they have a lot of good players. We have to think about that. It shows the African Cup is different. It’s not like the Premiership or the French league. It’s very difficult.

“ We have to stay focused and if we do that we can win.

“Before the tournament Demba said to me that I would be back before him, but now he has to go back and I’m still at the Cup of Nations.

“ It’s good for Newcastle because they’ve two great strikers, but they’ll have to wait for me.”