Cheik Tiote not worried by ban

Newcastle United midfielder Cheik Tiote has claimed that the squad can cope with his suspension for their Boxing Day clash with Manchester United.

The Ivory Coast international will miss the game at Old Trafford after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the season during Saturday's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

"We've got good players in the squad and if I'm not playing then other players will take the chance to prove to the manager that they're good players," Tiote told reporters. "Everything is about the team."

Newcastle go into the match against the league leaders in 14th place in the table.