Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has insisted midfielder Cheick Tiote remains a key part of his plans despite speculation linking him with a move to Russia. The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international is understood to have been the subject of a bid from Lokomotiv Moscow but Pardew said it would take big money to prize Tiote away from the club. Pardew said: Hes just a great player, hes just a top player. There were a couple of bids but they were nowhere near the valuation we have of the player. Hes just a great player, hes just a top player. There were a couple of bids but they were nowhere near the valuation we have of the player. Top players demand top fees if they are going to move, but at the moment, that isnt the case. He is our player and we are looking forward to fitting him into the team. He is very much under contract with us and I love the way he plays, I love his mentality to the game and I look forward to seeing him this week, hopefully. Tiotes hamstring injury means he will miss the trip to Aston Villa this weekend, but fellow midfielder Siem de Jong and loan striker Facundo Ferreyra are likely to be in the squad. Pardew added: Siem has to earn the right to play. Whether he is ready 100 per cent for this weekend, I am not sure. We will decide that, probably, on Friday. This was on sky sports so I see the chances of Tiote moving this window as slim which is great news! Also Siem and Chucky in the squad will make our 18 look a lot stronger. Shaun
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 19:30:09 +0000