Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew admits he gambled with Papiss Cisse' fitness for their draw with Hull City.
The Magpies were trailing 2-0 to Hull at St James' Park with just 21 minutes remaining when the Senegal international was introduced as a substitute, his first action since suffering a fractured kneecap in March.
But Cisse overcame his ring-rust to plunder a late double which rescued a point and spared his under-pressure manager a broadside from disgruntled supporters.
Pardew said: "He shouldn't have played today, really. My medical staff didn't agree that he should be included today - I think he has trained five days.
"But when you are experienced - myself and [assistant manager] John [Carver] looked at each other on Thursday, I think it was, and your eye tells you sometimes that the player is fresh, he's bright.
"Of course he's not ready for 90 minutes, but he knows how to carry the jersey."
