Sissoko All Smiles At Summer Signings

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Moussa Sissoko has returned to find a new-look Newcastle United squad, and is more than happy with the Magpies' summer signings.

Since Frenchman Sissoko departed for the World Cup two months ago, six new faces have come through the doors at St. James' Park, including fellow countrymen Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere.

And having assessed his new teammates over the past few days, United's powerhouse midfielder is confident it could be a successful season on Tyneside.

"The squad here is different but I am happy with it," Sissoko told nufc.co.uk following Newcastle's warm-up game against Malaga on Saturday.

"The Club has brought some new players and we will all work together to do the best for the new season.

"I played with Manu in France, at Toulouse, and with Remy in the national team. These are two good players who will do well at Newcastle in the Premier League.

"It is a very different league to France but they have the talent to do well here, and you will see that soon."

United slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Malaga in their opening game of the Schalke 04 Cup, in Germany, with Gabriel Obertan scoring a second-half consolation for Alan Pardew's side.

For Sissoko, it was his first pre-season friendly of the summer, and he was happy with a 45-minute workout, even if the result was far from ideal.

"It was a hard game against a good Spanish team," he explained.

"Malaga played very well. They kept the ball and tried to go forward, and we found it very hard in the first half.

"The second half was much better and we scored one goal. We have to build on that performance now.

"We tried to do the best we could but I found it hard because it was my first game since the World Cup.

In your first game you always find it difficult. You don't know if you need to go forward or stay back, and it is very different.

"But I am happy to be out there again, playing for Newcastle, and to get my first 45 minutes.

"Tomorrow I would like to maybe play the same again and I will be ready for the first game of the season."