PAPISS CISSE has vowed that his best is still to come as the striker aims to fire Newcastle United to Premier League safety this season.

The Senegalese forward has notched four goals in three games for the Magpies, his latest two coming in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Swansea City.

Cisse is determined to continue that good form as the season progresses, and is convinced that it is too early to be talking about relegation.

“I need to keep going,” said Cisse, after twice cancelling out Swansea’s lead in South Wales.

“I need to believe in myself and believe in the team. If I have one chance in a game I need to score. The team needs to score. It’s me and the other strikers’ jobs to do that.

“It’s a very difficult time for the team. If you have point it’s good for the team, but it’s three points we need. It’s not easy, it’s very hard at the moment.

“For me I’m not back back, because I need to do a lot more for this team, I need to get better. Two years ago I was like fire, scoring goals, but last year it wasn’t that way. That’s football. I need to keep going.

“Relegation? It’s early to say that. The team will work hard to climb the table.

“I’ve had the same situation in France and Germany and something’s always come around. It’s about the team keeping going and one day the results will come your way.”

The striker has led from the front for Newcastle since his return from injury, and is pleased to be taking the plaudits after a difficult season that saw Loic Remy steal the spotlight with 14 goals while on loan from Queens Park Rangers.

“Remy was there, he was the striker, he scored the goals,” said Cisse. “It’s normal that it will be hard for me, but I believed in myself all of the time, I needed to keep going.

“I’m not scared to fight. I’m so happy for him that he did well for the team. Last year the team didn’t have this problem.”

Cisse has scored his goals at key moments this season, two in a game-saving display against Hull City a fortnight ago and similarly against Swansea, and it could be argued that his displays have kept Alan Pardew in his job. Pardew has previously spoken of a family atmosphere in the squad, and Cisse is pleased to be part of that.

“I’m not on fire! I’m just working hard at the moment. I got an opportunity and I scored, I’m just doing my job. I’m happy, I’m happy to score, four goals in three games,” said Cisse.

“This moment is not easy for him [Pardew], and it’s not easy for the players too. It’s about belief and working hard and one day maybe we will come good.

“The team don’t think about how it is. It’s just the gaffer and the family. The players just play. It’s not just the gaffer. It’s all of us.”

Pardew was once more the subject of derision from the travelling Newcastle support, and while Cisse can understand their anger, he believes the Magpies can improve from here.

Cisse said: “The fans are not happy. That’s football. The players need to believe in themselves and work hard, and it will come good.

“The Premier League is not easy. It’s not finished yet. We’re only a few games into the season, maybe it will turn.”