Newcastle lose Cisse to illness ahead of Anzhi clash

07-Mar-2013 2:15:00 AM

Alan Pardew has revealed that the striker has remained on Tyneside in order to recover but expects him to take part in the upcoming Premier League meeting with Stoke

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has revealed that Papiss Cisse is set to miss his side's Europa League last-16 first-leg clash with Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Senegal international has remained on Tyneside after being struck down by illness, but is expected to recover in time to face Stoke at St James' Park on Sunday.

And Pardew has confirmed that attacking duo Shola Ameobi and Hatem Ben Arfa are likely to feature on Thursday in the absence of the influential striker.

He told reporters: "Papiss has been sick since Sunday. I wanted to bring him, but we had to leave him behind.

"It is one of the reasons why we brought Shola. I wasn't going to bring Shola on this surface. At some point you'll see Hatem hopefully."

The Englishman also explained that the plastic pitch in Russia has forced him to leave Jonas Gutierrez behind, with the Argentine nursing a knee complaint could deteriorate on the unusual surface.

He added: "It isn't what happens in the game it is afterwards."