Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has said that he wanted to return to action after being stretchered off the pitch against Chelsea last night.
Tiote, who needed seven stitches in his head after a clash with Blues midfielder Jon Obi Mikel, admits that club doctor Paul Catterson denied his plea to return to action with 20 minutes to go.
"The doctor said it's not possible to come back onto the pitch," he told the club's official website. "I had to respect his decision.
"It was another great win, like the one against Manchester United. We did well as a team.
"I'm happy tonight. It's painful but that's football. I'm just thinking about Sunday."
The Magpies host league leaders Manchester City in three days' time.
