Mitrovic Wants Newcastle No 9 Shirt - But Insists He CAN Play With Cisse

Aleksandar Mitrovic has admitted that sometime "in the future" he wants to be Newcastle United's No 9 - but the Serbian insists he "can play" alongside the current incumbent, Papiss Cisse. Steve McClaren has suggested that he could look to adopt a system going forward that would pair both Mitrovic and Cisse together up front, even if the Magpies head coach has mainly played a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout pre-season. Although the 20-year-old has yet to play alongside Cisse, Mitrovic is confident they could form a promising duo going forward - even if he does want to wear Newcastle's most-iconic shirt one day himself. Quoted in The Chronicle, Mitrovic said of playing with Cisse:

"Why not? "That€™s what the coach wants up front. "But of course we can play together."

Explaining why he has chosen to wear the No 45 jersey on Tyneside, the £13 million signing from Anderlecht revealed it is because four plus five equals nine. Speaking to The Shields Gazette, Mitrovic explained why he did not demand the No 9 shirt on Tyneside:

"I didn't ask for it because Papiss Cisse already has it - and I don't want to fight with him! "So I have chosen No 45 because it (adds up and) makes nine. "The number is not a problem. "Hopefully, in the future, I will be Newcastle's No 9."

Mitrovic could be called upon to make his competitive Magpies debut in Newcastle's Premier League opener against Southampton on Sunday, and the Serbian insists he "wants to play". He added (The Chronicle): "You will need to ask the coach about that, but of course I want to play. "If he thinks I am not ready then I will accept it but I think I am ready." For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.