Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has insisted that Cheick Tiote is capable of finding top form again for the Magpies this season.
Tiote endured a frustrating campaign at St James' Park last time out, in a season which saw Newcastle finish 16th in the Premier League.
Pardew has admitted that the Ivory Coast international failed to meet his own high standards last season, but has backed the midfielder to lift his game quickly when the new campaign begins next month.
He told the Shields Gazette: "All players have disappointing seasons, unfortunately for us, Cheik's coincided with us having a disappointing season as well, which probably didn't help him.
"He had such a fantastic season the year before. You don't become a bad player overnight. It's about confidence, and getting him back to where he was.
"If he'd had another year like he did when we finished fifth, he probably would be gone. So who knows? That might work in our favour this year, given the fact he's still here. He's a fantastic character around this building."
The 27-year-old has made 83 appearances for Newcastle since making a £3.5m switch from FC Twente in 2010.
Liam Power
