Demba Ba says he is happy to put his own goalscoring ambitions to one side in order to help Newcastle team-mate Papiss Cisse to flourish.
Newcastle striker prepared to play in a different position
Demba Ba insists he is happy to put his own goalscoring ambitions to one side in order to help Newcastle United team-mate Papiss Cisse to flourish.
Following his arrival on Tyneside on a free transfer last summer, Ba scored 15 goals in his first 19 Premier League appearances for the Magpies.
However, since returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal and the signing of compatriot Cisse, the 26-year-old has managed just one goal in 10 outings.
In contrast, Cisse has scored 10 goals in nine games for the Magpies and Ba is prepared to sacrifice his own goals after being moved in to a different position by manager Alan Pardew.
Qualities
"I work in order to score goals, but also so Papiss can score," said Ba. "The coach told me he would put me on the left. And for the team I thought, 'Let's do it'.
"Also, I know the qualities of Papiss as a finisher. It does not bother me at all.
"As a striker you like to be in the striking position but now the coach has made a decision. He has decided for Papiss to be there.
"I do what I have to do to balance the formation for the good of the team. If I can be in the finishing area I do everything to be there, if I cannot, we do the work for Papiss.
"I like to be up front but lately the coach has decided to play with three strikers and I do not mind playing on the side.
"If I score, that's great, but if I don't score there is someone else who does."
