Newcastle Utd boss blasts Ivory Coast over Tiote

Tiote started and finished both two African Cup of Nations qualifiers during the international break – despite a verbal agreement between Newcastle United and the Ivory Coast.

The midfielder, yet to kick a ball for his club this season, had been sidelined with a hamstring problem.

United manager Pardew intends to take Tiote to Southampton for tomorrow’s game at the St Mary’s Stadium – but he won’t start him.

“I spoke to him (Tiote) and thought we had an agreement with his FA that he would play part of both games,” Pardew said.

“But, of course, he’s played a full 90 minutes in both.

“I’m astounded by that. He hasn’t played a game – not even one reserve game for us.

“Now I have a player who is arriving on as Friday after playing two 90 minutes, and is expected to be brilliant at Southampton.

“It’s just not going to happen. It’s unfair on him – and on the club because we pay his wages.

“I will take him to Southampton because he is important to us, but he won’t start, that’s for sure.”

Ivory Coast coach Renard – who once managed Cambridge United – was appointed to the post in late July.

“We’ll be having words (with Ivory Coast),” said Pardew. “I know it was a new manager.

“We had an agreement for 45 minutes or so in each game, that was agreed between Cheik and the manager, and I was quite happy with that.”

Meanwhile, Tiote’s midfield Jack Colback will be fit to face Southampton after recovering form the problem which had forced him out of the England squad.

Colback had suffered a calf injury in Newcastle’s 3-3 home draw against Crystal Palace late last month.

Pardew said: “He’s OK. It was best for everyone that he came back.

“It’s a shame because we genuinely thought he might have played. He trained, but was as rusty as his hair.