Stand by for the Wonga derby...
Newcastle relief over Cisse climbdown
NEWCASTLE have earmarked tomorrow’s Wonga derby for Papiss Cisse’s long-awaited return to action. The rebel striker, whose dispute with the payday loan company has finally been resolved, has been included in the Newcastle squad which will travel to Blackpool tomorrow.
Like Newcastle, Championship club Blackpool are sponsored by Wonga, who will be delighted that Cisse may well make his first appearance in their kit at last.
Cisse only returned to the Newcastle first team in training yesterday after agreeing to wear Wonga-branded training kit and the first-team shirt.
The Newcastle No 9 has been training alone and did not travel to Newcastle’s training camp in Portugal last week because of his original refusal to wear the Wonga logo for religious and personal reasons.
Cisse’s climbdown follows weeks of talks between the 28-year-old striker, his representatives, Wonga, the PFA and the club. The PFA are understood to have stepped in this week.
It also came just days after a Newcastle supporter circulated a picture on the internet of Cisse allegedly gambling in a Newcastle casino.
The £9million-rated forward had refused to wear any Wongabranded clothing on religious grounds but was accused of hypocrisy for gambling, which is also contrary to his Muslim beliefs.