Newcastle new boy Seydou Doumbia cleared to play against Everton

Newcastle United new boy Seydou Doumbia has been cleared to play against Everton tonight.
Seydou DoumbiaSeydou Doumbia
Seydou Doumbia

The striker, signed by the relegation-threatened club on loan from AS Roma on Monday, has got his visa in time to play at Goodison Park.

But Doumbia, handed the No28 jersey, may not feature on Merseyside, having not been involved in the build-up to the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Also, the 28-year-old – who had been on loan at CSKA Moscow – hasn't played a competitive game for a number of weeks because of the winter break in Russia.

Asked about Doumbia ahead of the match, United head coach Steve McClaren said: "He's played top football with top clubs, and has played in the Champions League.

"He scored against Manchester United and Manchester City, so he's played in big games and has that mentality.

"He's a goalscorer. He has to adapt quickly, and some players do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He adds to the squad we’ve got. I think there was too much pressure on (Aleksandar) Mitrovic earlier in the season, but we also have Manu (Emmanuel Riviere) coming back, and hopefully (Papiss) Cisse in two or three weeks too."

If Doumbia doesn't make his bow against Everton, he could feature against West Bromwich Albion at St James's Park on Saturday.

However, winger Andros Townsend, signed for £12million from Tottenham Hotspur last week, is expected to make his debut against 12th-placed Everton.

Newcastle are 18th in the Premier League and two points adrift of safety.