CISSE WILL WEAR WONGA KIT

Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse will return to full-scale training with the rest of Alan Pardew’s squad on Friday after finally resolving his dispute with the club and controversial sponsors Wonga.

The Senegal striker, who did not travel to Newcastle’s training camp in Portugal last week because of his refusal to wear the Wonga logo on his training kit, and the first team shirt, will be welcomed back to the hub of the first team by relieved manager Pardew.

And Cisse could now make his return to action for Newcastle’s friendly at Blackpool on Sunday. The game has been dubbed the `Wonga derby’ because it features two sides backed by the payday loan company.

Cisse’s climbdown follows lengthy talks between the 28-year-old striker, his representatives, Wonga, the PFA and the club. The PFA is 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 Wonga-branded gear on religious grounds but was accused of hypocrisy for gambling, which is also contrary to his Muslin beliefs, as the dispute seemed likely to lead to his departure from St James’s Park.

The resolution is a welcome boost for Pardew and comes a day after his squad returned from the break in Portugal.