Cheick Tiote back in Steve McClaren's plans at Newcastle '“ and kicking his way through training

The midfielder’s proposed £4million move to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua broke down last month.

But unsettled Tiote could still over the next few weeks as the Chinese transfer window doesn’t close until the end of the month.

Beijing Guoan and another unnamed club are understood to be interested in the 29-year-old.

Tiote, 29, could feature for United in the meantime, having yesterday been named in the club’s 25-man Premier League squad.

“Cheick is back with us,” said head coach McClaren, who worked with Tiote previously at FC Twente.

“It fell through with the Chinese club, for some reason, so he’s back at Newcastle.

“I have to say that before he left, which we felt he had to for certain reasons, he had fantastic games against Arsenal and Watford.

“He’s back on the training field, and he already kicked three in the air this morning so he’s made his mark.

“I’m pleased that he’s back.”

However, with United having recruited defensive midfielder Henri Saivet in the January transfer window, Tiote’s future looks to lie away from St James’s Park.

And the odds are on Tiote, an Ivory Coast team-mate of new signing Seydou Doumbia, leaving Newcastle this month.

Doumbia, meanwhile, is not expected to make his debut in tonight’s game against Everton at Goodison Park.

The striker, signed on a six-month loan from AS Roma, has been getting a visa.