Cisse, Ba in doubt for Olympics

Newcastle pair Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba may not be called up to the Senegal Olympic squad, according to assistant manager Alou Cisse.

The African nation booked their place at London with a 2-0 playoff win over Oman in Coventry on Monday, and will have the option of selecting three players over the age of 23.

Newcastle’s top scorer Ba, and Cisse – who has 11 goals in 10 games – are obvious choices for Senegal but Alou Cisse insisted they are not certainties.

“It is important to play with the best team you can but I can’t say whether they will be involved,” he said after the qualifier.

“There are others who may come into the reckoning. It is true we are permitted to have three overage players under the rules. Let us not forget the players who have been in the team that has got us there.

“They are the ones who deserve to play in the tournament this summer, which is an historic even for our country.”

It is the first time that Senegal have been involved in the Olympic football competition and they are pitted against Great Britain, Uruguay and United Arab Emirates in Group A.

The tournament clashes with the Europa League qualifiers, but fourth-placed Newcastle will be hoping that they can secure Champions League football instead.