Newcastle United forward Papiss Cisse returned for the final 22 minutes against West Bromwich Albion - but the forward is determined to start the crunch clash at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Cisse came off the bench during the 1-1 draw against the Baggies and was unable to find the Magpies a winner so he has pleaded with interim head coach John Carver to start him at Loftus Road. If the 29-year-old Senegalese striker is given 90 minutes this weekend, there is every chance that he will add to the 11 goals he has already scored for the Magpies this campaign. Speaking to The Chronicle ahead of Newcastle's crucial match in west London, Cisse said:
"The last two games (against QPR and then West Ham United) are very important for the club, and also very important for me. "I am only happy when I am out on the pitch, and every game is a really big game for me now because I haven't been able to play much and the team needs the points in every game. I haven't been playing and I want to play and hopefully score as much as I can before the season ends. "The last two games will not be easy because QPR and West Ham will be wanting to win too but Newcastle need the points so we have to work hard."
Cisse has scored 11 league goals this season and Newcastle have claimed just nine points this campaign without him - and his welcome return given the Magpies squad a confidence boost heading into the crucial last two fixtures. The Senegalese striker did not look anything like fully fit against West Brom but he wasnt earlier in the campaign either - all he needs is to be given a little bit of freedom in the box and he will more-often-than-not pop up with a goal. He did not get any opportunities against West Brom and he wasnt as much of a nuisance as usual, but the Baggies were quite happy to just sit behind the ball and try to contain him. In the 20 Premier League matches that Cisse has been present - scoring 11 goals in the process in just 1,040 minutes of action - Carvers side have collected 27 points. That means that without Cisse in the side the Magpies average 0.56 points per match - a little more than one every other game - while with the 29-year-old the number they collect more than doubles to 1.35 points per match. And Cisse has revealed he was frustrated to sit on the bench last weekend and now wants to start at Loftus Road:
"I was only able to train for two days before the (West Brom) game so it is still quite early for me. I know the team needs me and I spoke to the gaffer and said: 'If I can have 15 or 20 minutes, I know I can do that and hopefully I will help.' "Hopefully, I will be able to train the whole of this week and if I am able to do that I am sure I will be able to play more."
Carver says Cisse is unlikely to start at QPR but the striker believes he is fit enough to do so - in which case he simply must be on the teamsheet come 3pm on Saturday. With Cisse back in the team, the Magpies will almost certainly score. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.