CHEIK Tiote has vowed to improve his dreadful disciplinary record as he prepares to return to action in this evening's Europa League tie in Brugge.

The Newcastle United midfielder is currently two thirds of the way through a three-match domestic ban imposed in the wake of his dismissal in last month's 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

The red card was the second of Tiote's Magpies career, and the combative midfielder has also incurred 29 bookings in his 60 matches in English football.

Alan Pardew has warned the Ivory Coast international that his discipline must improve, and Tiote concedes he has to clean up his act if he is not to spend further spells on the sidelines.

“I don't need the manager to talk to me about my disciplinary record,” he said. “I know that I have picked up too many yellow cards. I know that I have to be careful, but it is my style and I cannot change my style.

“I need to be a lot more careful over some of the bookings that I pick up but I will not change my style of play. It will get better – it will get better.”

Tiote's dismissal at the Stadium of Light arguably cost Newcastle two valuable Premier League points as it was hard to see how Sunderland were going to get back on level terms had it remained 11 against 11.

His subsequent suspension has proved equally costly, and his presence was undeniably missed at Anfield on Sunday as injuries to Yohan Cabaye and James Perch meant the Magpies were forced to finish with Vurnon Anita and Shane Ferguson playing alongside Jonas Gutierrez in central midfield.

His reckless tackle on Steven Fletcher in the derby undoubtedly merited a straight red card, but even though he has pledged to learn from the incident, Tiote insists he cannot afford to dwell on it too much and allow it to affect his game.

“I have to forget about the sending off,” he said. “Of course it hurt, but it's over, it's finished and I have to concentrate on how I can help the team moving forward. It has been difficult to forget about it and to move on. It's hard, but I think I will be okay.

“I am very sorry for the sending off and I want to put some performances in for them (the supporters). If we had finished the game with 11 players then we would have won the derby.”

Tiote's next opportunity to make amends comes this evening, with Newcastle hoping to maintain their unbeaten European record when they take on Club Brugge in the Jan Breydel Stadion.

The midfielder's suspension only applies to domestic competitions, so like Fabricio Coloccini, who is also serving a Premier League ban, he is eligible to start tonight.

“It is very good for me that we are in the Europa League because it gives me a chance to play games,” he said. “I will not be out for long. I am not good at watching games, I do not like to do that. I want to be playing.”

Tonight's game will see Newcastle guarantee a place in the Europa League's last 32 with two games to spare if they win and Bordeaux claim at least a point in their home game with Maritimo.

Brugge proved testing opponents as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at St James' Park, but their form has subsequently nosedived, resulting in the surprise departure of head coach Georges Leekens at the weekend.

It is estimated that more than 5,000 supporters have crossed the North Sea to cheer Newcastle on, and Tiote is looking forward to extending the club's European adventure well into next year.

“We are first in the group now and that is really good for this team,” he said. “That is what we expected and that is what has happened – now we have to qualify. We want to win every game in this competition and I think we can get to the final.”