McClaren Ready To Unleash New Boys

By Dominic Scurr

Steve McClaren believes Newcastle United's new additions can help rejuvenate the team ahead of Saturday's home fixture with West Ham United (3pm kick-off).

The Magpies welcome the Hammers to St. James' Park looking to pick up their first victory in seven Barclays Premier League games.

And McClaren is hoping Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet, who arrived this week from Swansea City and Bordeaux respectively, will have an immediate impact on Tyneside.

"(Jonjo and Henri) have trained a couple of days and we knew their quality," said the Newcastle boss.

"It's about them bedding in and getting used to the team.

"(Shelvey) is a winner, a good player who can score goals, make us play and get assists for the team.

"Henri is a leader, he's the type of character we want in this team and we will see how quickly he adapts (to the Premier League).

"What we want to do is show why we bought them, look after them and make them better players.

"Both players are in the squad (against West Ham) and both have a chance (of starting)."

One player who won't feature in the Magpies squad this weekend, however, is Dutch international forward Siem de Jong, who picked up an injury in training on Wednesday.

"Siem sustained an eye injury," McClaren continued.

"It looked very serious, he was in hospital and will be out for one or two weeks.

"Papiss Cissé has had his operation and the recovery time for that is six to eight weeks but knowing Papiss, he'll be looking to get back sooner than that.

"Steven Taylor is back in training so that is a plus. Florian (Thauvin) will return to the squad."