Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is desperate not to lose his Senegal stars Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba for the African Nations Cup.

Pardew is demanding better from the pair ahead of their clash with Aston Villa.

"I think both Cisse and Ba have been under par," Pardew said. "Senegal v Ivory Coast is a massive game for this football club.

"If Senegal win that game [and qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations] we are going to lose those two strikers. Then in the next window we are going to have to do something about it.

"But in the short term, their form has not been good.

"I think I've got enough tactical options to make them worry. It is not often that Cisse and Ba score in the same game so maybe lightning will strike twice."