Papiss Cisse may get Newcastle chance when Norwich City come calling – but what will the pitch be like?
Papiss Cisse is an option for Steve McClaren as Newcastle United prepare for Norwich City at St James' Park on Sunday. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. - Credit: PA
Steve McClaren has assured Papiss Cisse he will get another chance at Newcastle United – possibly come Norwich City's visit on Sunday.
The Senegal striker has not scored since August and has been dropped from the Magpies' first team in recent weeks.
But McClaren believes some of the criticism his number nine has endured since the season kicked off has been undeserved.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez have been McClaren's chosen strike force of late, but Cisse may well feature if McClaren decides to try out a new option against the Canaries.
'Papiss is another one who has undeservedly been getting criticism,' McClaren told the Newcastle Chronicle.
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'This is football. With TV and everything now, they sensationalise everything.'
'The plus for me has been seeing Mitrovic and Ayo link up well, but also having Papiss there.
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'We did talk at the beginning about Papiss and Mitrovic together, I'd like to see that. It's not been possible so far but it could also be something for us.'
Newcastle sit bottom of the Premier League with just three points to their name – but the suggestion is their fixture list has so far been unkind. They have already faced last term's top four as well as the teams that finished seventh and eighth, in Southampton and Swansea.
It's Norwich and Stoke at home sandwiching a trip to fierce rivals Sunderland next.
'We've now played all the top four, so it has been really, really tough – but something you have to go through,' said McClaren.
Meanwhile, Newcastle officials have promised a 'fantastic-looking pitch' at St James' Park for Sunday's game.
The ground hosted two rugby World Cup games in the space of two days over the weekend.
• Follow Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey
