Cisse fit for northern derby

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is expected to be fit for Sunday’s derby clash with Sunderland.

Cisse withdrew from the Senegal squad in midweek with a groin problem, but has trained and will be available, as should midfielder Cheick Tiote, who was rested today following his return from international duty with the Ivory Coast.

However, striker Shola Ameobi, who has proved a scourge to Sunderland in recent years, is a doubt through illness, while defender Steven Taylor (Achilles) and midfielders Sammy Ameobi (knee) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin) remain on the sidelines.

Provisional squad: Krul, Elliot, Harper, Simpson, Santon, Ferguson, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Tiote, Cabaye, R. Taylor, Obertan, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Gosling, Abeid, Ba, Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands.