Demba Ba has backed Papiss Cisse to be a Newcastle success story after grabbing the match-winner on his debut against Aston Villa.
Magpies striker expects international team-mate to be a big hit
Demba Ba has backed Papiss Cisse to be a Newcastle success story after grabbing the match-winner on his debut against Aston Villa.
The Magpies dug deep to secure Cisse's signature during the winter transfer window, with Alan Pardew having made the acquisition of a proven marksman a top priority.
With Ba having proved to be an instant hit on Tyneside following his summer switch to St James' Park from West Ham, Newcastle opted to tread a similar path.
They snapped up Cisse from Freiburg, allowing them to pair him alongside Senegalese colleague Ba.
Both men were back from Africa Cup of Nations duty on Sunday, and both were on the scoresheet as Newcastle edged out Villa 2-1.
Cisse netted the decisive goal and Ba is backing his countryman to settle quickly into Premier League life.
Big day
"It was a big day for him and I am very happy for him," Ba told
Sky Sports.
"When you come to a new team it is very hard sometimes to settle in. I think he is a good lad, so he will settle in okay."
While delighted to see Cisse make the perfect start to life in English football, Newcastle were also pleased to see Ba back among the goals.
His effort against Villa was his 15th of a productive campaign, but he insists benefiting the collective cause is more important to him than individual recognition.
"It was not so important (that I scored)," he said.
"I was very happy that we got the win today and it doesn't matter if I score today or somebody else. I am happy, but it was not the most important thing."
