Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has expressed his relief at striker Papiss Cisse's return to the first-team squad.
Cisse, who reached an agreement to wear the club's new shirt sponsored by pay-day loan company Wonga this week after initially refusing on religious grounds, will play his first friendly against St Mirren on Tuesday.
Pardew told Sky Sports News: "It's unusual but nice to be able to talk about Papiss as a footballer, after all that has gone on, and I must say the two days' training he has put in has surprised me.
"He has looked in really good fettle, and he will have half a game, at least, at St Mirren. I am pleased it has all been sorted out, and we will bond round him now and support him. We will try and get the best out of him, because he is an important player for us.
"It was a taxing situation for him but he is fine. We are a resilient bunch, in football. You have to bounce back in our world, or you'll be in trouble. Papiss can play a big role for us this coming season, and I fully expect him to kick on and make a positive contribution."
The Magpies continued their summer preparations with an 1-0 win over Blackpool, thanks to a solitary strike from Shola Ameobi.
Liam Power
