Newcastle United news: Sissoko reflects on 'complicated' situation, defender opens up on his future

Newcastle United midfielder Sissoko, expected to leave the club this summer, was handed his first tournament start in Lille last night.

But the 26-year-old couldn't inspire the Euro 2016 hosts – who had already booked their place in the knockout stages – to another victory on a poor surface at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

“We knew it was going to be complicated, especially with the state of the ground," said Sissoko. “I saw beautiful things, but we could not take too much risks with the state of the ground.

“It was difficult to play, especially with balls out the back. We tried to do the best we could.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle defender Lubo Satka – who has represented Slovakia at Under-21 level – didn't make the senior squad for the tournament.

And the 21-year-old is focused more on club than country as he enters the final year of his deal at St James's Park.

Satka – whose countrymen take on England tonight – has been talking about his future at the club under Rafa Benitez, who is assessing his defensive options ahead of the club's Championship campaign.