Cheick Tiote has been taking his Africa Cup of Nations frustrations out on his Newcastle team-mates according to boss Alan Pardew.
Tiote got over heartache by kicking lumps out of Toon mates
Cheick Tiote has been taking his Africa Cup of Nations frustrations out on his Newcastle team-mates according to boss Alan Pardew
The 25-year-old was part of the Ivory Coast team that came so close to being crowned kings of Africa recently only to lose on penalties in the final to the impressive Zambia.
And Pardew is expecting more of the same from his tormented midfield hardman when they take on managerless Wolves on Saturday.
"He has kicked everybody so far," said Pardew. "So I think he has got it out of his system this week.
"One or two of our players have had to take the brunt of that. I think he will be all right by Saturday."
The midfielder is expected to return to the side along with central midfield partner Yohan Cabaye who is at the end of his three-match ban.
The pair will be welcomed back with open arms by Pardew as he aims to keep pace with the sides at the top of the division.
His side are currently sitting in sixth place in the table just behind underachieving Arsenal and Chelsea.
But despite the poor form of the out of sorts London sides in recent weeks Pardew is expecting them to put up a ferocious fight for fourth spot and the right to play in the Champions League next season.
He added: "Both clubs are having difficult spells at the moment, I think that's fair to say - but so are we.
"We have just been beaten 5-0 by Tottenham, so we have got no right to claim a Champions League place.
"If we are still in this position with six games to go, then we will give it every go. But we are a long way from that yet.
"It does help that I have got some iconic players back, I can't deny that, and they are all going to play.
"They are great players - one won the Double last year in France, and the other almost won the African Nations Cup, but for a penalty shoot-out, so we are talking top players here."
