Papiss Cisse hopes Demba Ba chooses to stay with Newcastle United.

Even though his pal's exit could thrust Cisse back into his favoured central role, he has not taken kindly to the news.

He told The Sun: "I adapted well to playing with Demba Ba when I signed last season and he is a vital player for Newcastle.

"I hear the decisions from the directors at the club but, personally, I don't think this is good news for us."