Papiss Cisse start excites Alan Pardew

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that Papiss Cisse could become the club's next great striker.

The Senegal international has scored five goals in his first five starts for the Magpies following his arrival at the Sports Direct Arena from SC Freiburg this winter, a fact which Pardew believes bodes well for the future.

"You need a great start, and he's had that," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"I don't know which No 9s have started as well as he has, but the best ones will have similar figures – five goals in five games. And that bodes well."

Cisse is expected to start when Newcastle host Liverpool this afternoon.