Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse set to return and give Steve McClaren a lift

Papiss Cisse is set to hand beleaguered Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren a major boost by returning from injury.
Papiss Cisse.Papiss Cisse.
Papiss Cisse.

The striker has missed the last 10 games with a groin injury picked up in the match against Aston Villa on December 19.

The 30-year-old, however, is closing in on a return to action and could even be in the frame for the Magpies’ next game against Stoke City on March 2.

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It would provide McClaren with a much-needed lift after he saw his side thumped 5-1 at Chelsea on Saturday to drop back into the Premier League relegation zone.

Cisse said: “The past two months have been frustrating.

“Now I’m back to Newcastle to resume training (and) I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.

“I feel fit, sharp and very focused.

“I can’t wait to get back playing again as quickly as possible. I’m in good shape.”

Cisse has scored twice in eight games this season, and his return will give McClaren extra attacking options with Aleksandar Mitrovic still inconsistent up front, Emmanuel Riviere yet to feature this season after injury, and deadline day loan signing Seydou Doumbia looking off the pace.

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Gini Wijnaldum remains Newcastle’s top scorer this season with nine goals, while Mitrovic has five and Ayoze Perez four.

Only Aston Villa, Swansea and West Brom have scored fewer goals than United in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, Andros Townsend claims Newcastle United’s players aren’t sitting scared in the dressing room ahead of big games.

The Magpies were battered by Chelsea on Saturday to leave them deep in relegation trouble at the bottom of the Premier League.

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New signing Townsend, however, insists they went into the game ‘full of confidence’ despite the awful start.

He said: “It is nothing in the dressing room, the lads are not coming here scared.

“We came here full of confidence, we felt we were good enough to get a point, but on the day we were nowhere near.”

Townsend, who cost £12million from Tottenham Hotspur last month, believes there is enough quality in the squad to get out of trouble.

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“We have got the players in the dressing room to get us out of this situation,” added Townsend, who got Newcastle’s consolation on Saturday with his first goal for the club.

“I have no doubt in my mind that eventually we will get it right, things will start clicking and the results will start coming.”