Newcastle’s Demba Ba backed to pick up his old goalscoring habits by boss Pardew
Newcastle United's Demba Ba (left) celebrates his goal against Manchester United.
DEMBA Ba has been backed to pick up where he left off at Newcastle United when he returns against Aston Villa tomorrow.
The striker returned to training yesterday after flying back from the African Cup of Nations, along with Senegal team-mate Papiss Demba Cisse.
Cisse, signed from Freiburg last month, is set to make his Newcastle debut in the televised fixture.
However, Ba’s return is just as signifcant for Pardew, whose side went fifth in the Premier League after their midweek win at Ewood Park.
Ba took his goal tally for the season to 15 with a strike on his last appearance against Manchester United and Pardew is relishing having the 26-year-old back in his side.
“Demba coming back, for his character and the quality he brings, is a massive thing ,” Pardew told the Gazette.
“He’s already lifted the place. Whether we start with Demba and Cisse, or one of them, they’re going to have an impact in this game – 100 per cent. I’m looking forward to it.”
Pardew is slightly concerned at Cisse and Ba’s fatigue after a tortuous journey back from the African Cup of Nations, where their Senegal team was knocked out at the group stage.
And some of his other players are feeling the effects of Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.
“They’re both slightly tired because they had a long trip, but they trained well,” said Pardew.
“Some of our players are tired. That was a tough game.
“I need to really look at training to see who I’m going to play. I need a gameplan to win this game.
“Our 2-0 win away from home in midweek was absolute gold dust – it sets up our home game. Now we’ve got an opportunity and we’ll try and take it.”
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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