Toon bare without Cheick - Pardew

Alan Pardew is hoping Cheick Tiote's impending return from injury will spark Newcastle into life.

The Ivory Coast international has been out of action since damaging a calf muscle on the opening day of the season, and his bite in the middle of the field has been conspicuous by its absence. Pardew admitted he was a particular miss in Sunday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Aston Villa and is hoping the break for international matches - Tiote will miss his country's vital African Nations Cup play-off clash with Senegal because of the injury - will allow him to return to full fitness ahead of a tough trip to Everton. "I think Cheick Tiote will be back. He was sorely missed. That was a Cheick game today (Sunday)," Pardew said. "He would have been in and around a few of those Villa boys, and it will be nice to see him back in a black and white shirt for Everton. "We are expecting him to be in and around it for the Everton game, we really are. We have to work hard on him, but I am hoping, fingers crossed, that we can get him right for that."