Papiss and Ba give Magpies squad a lift (From The Northern Echo)

Papiss and Ba give Magpies squad a lift

8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Newcastle United News By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

WITH Newcastle United sitting fifth in the Premier League, Alan Pardew admits his squad of European football chasers have been given a significant lift by having £9m signing Papiss Cisse on the training ground.

Cisse took part in his first session as a Magpies player yesterday morning since his multi-million pound switch from German side Freiburg in the middle of last month.

The 26-year-old, smarting from Senegal's early exit in the Africa Cup of Nations where he failed to score a goal, has now put himself in to contention for an immediate debut against Aston Villa tomorrow.

His eye for a goal and general play was positive as Cisse showed no signs of ill-effects following the long flight to the North-East from Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, where the finals were held.

Having a familiar face in compatriot Demba Ba has helped him hit the ground running, and the players they teamed up with yesterday all had extra spring in their step.

"Not all the boys did the full session but a few of them stood around to have a nose and see how he got on. I think Papiss impressed one or two!" said Pardew.

"On the training ground you could tell there was a different atmosphere. When you get two really good players back everybody wants to show their quality. It was a nice atmosphere to have."

It's not that Newcastle have needed much of a boost. Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Blackburn lifted them back up to fifth and they sit just three points behind Chelsea in fourth place after 23 games.

The fact Newcastle remain in and amongst the contenders for European football has heartened Pardew, particularly given how 15-goal Ba has been missing for the last five matches.

Now that Ba and Cisse, who had nine goals for struggling Frieburg in the Bundesliga before his departure, are options again, the Newcastle boss wants progress to be maintained.

He has not finalised his selection plans for tomorrow, although he did confirm both Senegal internationals will figure against the Villams, meaning St James' Park will see Cisse make his debut at some point.

"I would be surprised if Cisse and Demba don't get at least part of the game," said Pardew. "So our fans can expect to see them.

"We had a tough game at Blackburn. Strikers have to be fresh. They are feeling a bit tired. All of my strikers are a bit jaded. I will have a look in training on Saturday to see who is the freshest.

"We've got some difficult decisions on Sunday. The team did brilliantly at Blackburn. The two (Senegalese) guys have come back from a long journey, we will have to see."

In the last few matches there has been a change to the system for Newcastle, but with Ba leading the line the team performed better and more effectively with a familiar four-man midfield.

"We had to make a lot of adjustments just to get through Wednesday night," said Pardew, who is still without French midfielder Yohan Cabaye for two matches through suspension.

"The two guys coming in certainly will have buoyed everybody. Whether Cisse and Demba start or come off the bench, they will have an impact of some type. It's not impossible they might start the game."

Regardless of whether Cisse plays, there will come a time when he is likely to lead the line more often than not, with his partner likely to be Ba.

And Pardew thinks he will add something different, donning the famous shirt which he thinks he will soon prove he deserves.

He said: "There are certain shirts, the No 7 at Liverpool; the No 10 at Manchester United; The No 10 at Arsenal; and the No 9 here.

"It is very important that players knows clubs have different legends and traditions running through them. He is going to have to wear it and I am sure he will do it justice.

"He will be direct and he is single minded about goal scoring. In training he has shown that already. He takes shots early, his hold up play is good and he is an all round good player. And with Demba also being from Senegal it ticked a lot of boxes. The mood around here is one of expectation, it's nice."

Despite the feel-good factor swirling around the camp, the Newcastle manager insists he is still not looking at finishing in a top four place.

"A reporter asked the question to me the other night and I didn't answer it. I just stirred it back to him. At which point he has put in a little piece," said Pardew, who confirmed Celtic explored the possibility of taking Leon Best on loan on deadline day.

"The Champions League is a far cry from where we are. We are doing incredible to be where we are. We just look at Villa and try to get a win."