• Premier League

Newcastle admit worry over Cisse

ESPN staff
November 15, 2012
Papiss Cisse was injured against West Ham © PA Photos
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Newcastle may not be allowed to field striker Papiss Cisse against Swansea on Saturday because of a row with Senegal's football federation.

Cisse, 27, did not meet up with his international team-mates for their friendly clash with Niger after hurting his back during Sunday's home defeat to West Ham.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew said Newcastle had informed Senegal and sent them details of the player's injury, but were told those details did not arrive.

It is understood that Senegal could now invoke the FIFA five-day rule, meaning Cisse would be unable to play for his club this weekend. The rule gives national football federations the right to stop a player from playing for five days after an international he has missed.

"We have a bit of an issue going on at the moment with the federation," Pardew explained.

"We feel we have covered all the bases to give them the information, but they seem not to have received it, so we are in discussions with Senegal and the FA about his availability for Saturday."

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