Alan Pardew has welcomed the return of Senegal pair Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse to the Newcastle United camp.
Ba and Cisse arrived back in the north east of England this week following their short-lived stay at the Africa Cup of Nations, where pre-tournament favourites Senegal were dumped out without gaining so much as a point.
Pardew for one could not be happier about Senegal’s premature exit, with his key strikers now back in training ahead of Newcastle’s English Premier League match at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.
“On the training ground today you could definitely tell,” he said, referring to Cisse and Ba’s involvement.
“There was a different atmosphere. When you get two really good players back everybody wants to show their quality and there was a nice atmosphere this morning.”
Pardew declined to reveal whether one or both of the two Senegal men would be involved against Villa, but acknowledge the importance of their availability following a 2-0 victory to Blackburn in mid-week.
“We had to make a lot of adjustments to get through Wednesday night,” he said.
“The team that started wasn’t the team that ended. It was difficult.”
“But the two guys certainly will have buoyed everybody and I know that there will be a fantastic atmosphere at our place.”
“And whether Cisse starts, whether Ba starts, whether they come off the bench, they’re going to have an impact of some type and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great day for us hopefully.”
