New Nice coach Patrick Vieira is frustrated with the absence of Alassane Plea.

The striker has been linked with Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle United - and has missed the start of preseason training.

Vieira said, “We were expecting him [Plea] today but he wasn't here and it wasn't foreseen.

"My wish is to keep the players who want to be part of the project."

Newcastle are believed to have had a bid rejected for Plea in the last 24 hours.