Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with Chelsea through injury.
Midfielder still missing with knee injury
Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with Chelsea through injury.
Tiote, who has missed Newcastle's last five games with a knee injury, had hoped to return to action last month, but the recovery is taking longer than expected.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew confirmed the Ivory Coast international will be not be available for the visit of Chelsea, live on
Sky Sports HD2 and he fears Tiote might not be back in time for next week's trip to Norwich.
"Cheik won't be involved on Saturday, and I'm not going to say he'll play a week later," said Pardew
"We've got to make sure he's right - he's a very important player for us."
Better news for Pardew is the return to fitness of striker Leon Best after a groin strain.
