Pardew hopeful strike duo will be back for Villa game

Alan Pardew says that strike duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse may not be back in England as soon as the fans are expecting them to be.

Senegal were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations at the group stage earlier this week and NUFC fans were hopeful of seeing their strikers return for the trip to Blackburn next Wednesday.

However, Pardew explained:

“It’s not as simple as them playing at Blackburn. We have to contact Senegal and they might want the squad to fly back together or whatever. But we are pushing to get them back into Newcastle.”

“I really don’t know what the chances are because it’s kind of over there. I really could not put a percentage on it.”

“I hope the players aren’t too (mentally) damaged because obviously, by their ranking in the world (43rd according to Fifa), the two results are disappointing so I’m sure the two guys are disappointed. They still have a game to go which is difficult to play when you are already out.”

“But the plus side is they are coming back to Newcastle early and they will definitely be involved against Aston Villa (a week on Sunday).”

Pardew has also attempted to curtail some of the expectation surrounding his new striker, stating that:

“Cissé has literally only had eight hours here. He has to get used to that number nine (shirt).”