Doumbia ready for Newcastle debut '“ in the U21s

Seydou Doumbia is set to make his Newcastle United debut tonight.

The striker, signed on loan from AS Roma on transfer deadline day a week ago, is yet to play for his new club.

Doumbia was an unused substitute for Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, which was decided by a goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

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But the 28-year-old will play in the Under-21 Premier League game against Stoke City, which has been moved to St James’s Park (7pm kick-off).

“We’ve got a game on Monday, so he’ll get some minutes,” said head coach Steve McClaren.

McClaren had been tempted to throw Doumbia – who had been on loan at CSKA Moscow – on against West Brom.

However, the Ivory Coast international hasn’t played for weeks because of the winter break in Russia.

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And McClaren felt he would be better getting a run-out for Peter Beardsley’s side instead.

“He’s only trained a couple of days,” said McClaren.

“We wanted to throw him on, but kept Mitro on for the set-plays.”