Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will be without Papiss Cisse for much of the pre-season after Senegal want the 27-year-old to form part of their squad at the 2012 Olympic Games. The Magpies will not stand in Cisse's way if he is selected to compete in London, but Pardew admits the situation is far from ideal.
"It's awkward because we want to prepare for a difficult season ahead of Europa League and Premier League games." Pardew said: "We have to give our permission and we are sort of discussing it.
