Tiote dreams of derby glory

Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote says he and his team-mates are willing to ‘die on the pitch’ to win Sunday’s derby against Sunderland.

Tiote, 25, was seeking to reassure Newcastle fans that the players know how important the game is and that they will give everything they have to beat their bitter rivals for the second time this season.

“We have to win every tackle,” Tiote told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

“If we have to die on the pitch to win, we have to die on the pitch. That is what we have to do to win the game.”

“If you get a yellow card, you get one. It cannot stop me from playing the game in my style.”

Tiote also believes the midfield battle, which will pit him against Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole, is important to win.

“The most important part of any team is in the middle of the pitch. If we do everything in that area we can win the game.”

Tiote has been missing from first-team action in recent weeks through international commitments, but insists that he is focused on the derby and hungry for victory.

“I am back and ready. Everybody knows this game is so important for everyone,” he said.

“We have to stay focused. We have to think about tomorrow and nothing else. We must do everything to win this game.”

The Ivorian midfielder was a key member of the Newcastle team which took all three points from the Stadium of Light in August, with Ryan Taylor the only scorer in a 1-0 victory.

However, Sunderland have enjoyed a resurgence under new manager Martin O’Neill, although they will begin the game 10 points behind their rivals.