Cisse Fighting Fit After Illness

By Steven Back

Papiss Cisse is in contention for a place in Newcastle United's squad at Stoke in the Barclays Premier League on Monday night after recovering from illness.

The Senegalese international missed the Magpies' midweek Capital One Cup victory at Crystal Palace and did not train until Saturday morning, but having netted twice against Hull City last weekend, manager Alan Pardew hopes to have Cisse available for selection.

"Papiss is not truly up to speed yet but he is fit and well, there are no lingering doubts about his injury so he definitely looks like he's on the way back so we are really pleased," said Pardew.

Cisse only scored four goals last season before his campaign was prematurely cut short by a knee injury, which kept him sidelined for five months until his comeback last weekend.

However, Pardew believes the front man will be provided with more goalscoring opportunities in a new-look United team which saw nine arrivals over the summer.

"I thought he was very unfortunate last season because in the first half of the season we started really well and (Loic) Remy was scoring, then the second half when Remy was injured we weren't really the creative force which we were in the first half of the season," explained the boss.

"This team will create much more chances for him and if he can re-capture the form from two or three years ago then, of course, it is going to be a massive bonus for us.

"He is a great character and personality at the Club, we love him as a player and we hope he can get the goals."