Pardew 'Baffled' By Cisse Decision

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Manager Alan Pardew described the decision to refuse Papiss Cisse permission to play for Newcastle United on Saturday as "baffling".

The Magpies had to do without their Senegalese front man following a dispute with his national Federation and FIFA over a back injury sustained by Cisse during the Premier League clash with West Ham last weekend.

Senegal applied a regulation to prevent the striker playing for his Club side, and despite United's best efforts right up until the final moment, he was forced to watch their defeat to Swansea from the sidelines.

"The decision over Papiss was baffling, and that's been a blow to us," said Pardew after the final whistle.

"We kept getting promised that the decision was going to be overturned and that Senegal were going to let Papiss play, but we kept waiting and waiting and it was at about 1.40pm that we finally found out that wasn't going to happen.

"It did affect our preparation. Him missing was a blow to us. We didn't feel we did anything wrong and he should have played.

"In the first 60 minutes (against Swansea) you would have expected Papiss to come up with a goal."

Cisse will return to United's matchday squad on Thursday for the Europa League home tie against Maritimo, and could be joined by Jonas Gutierrez, who missed the Swansea defeat with a knee injury.

Gabriel Obertan is unlikely to feature though following a minor toe operation.

"Obertan has got a toe that we needed to sort out, so there has been a manoeuvre on that which put him out today and probably for Maritimo as well. He might be back for Southampton," explained Pardew.

"Jonas, we think will be back on Thursday, Papiss will be available and that will help."

To view a Club statement released on Saturday regarding the situation, click here