Les Ferdinand heaps praise on Papiss Cisse

Les Ferdinand has urged Papiss Cisse to carry last season's form for Newcastle United into the new Premier League campaign.

Cisse scored 13 goals after arriving at the club in January from Freiburg and Ferdinand believes that the Senegalese striker can improve on that tally this year.

The former Newcastle forward told the club's official website: "He couldn't have done much better.

"Papiss came here and they gave him the number nine shirt, and he's worthy of it so far. He has had a great first season, and he now needs to take that into this season.

"If he can improve on that then he's got a hell of year coming up."

Newcastle started the new season with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.