Papiss Cisse still down after surgery on HWN SPORTS

Newcastle’s search for striking reinforcements has become more urgent after it emerged that Papiss Cisse will be out for a month after undergoing surgery.

Press Association Sport reported that Cisse, 30, had surgery to address the groin problem that has seen him miss the last five games.

Cisse’s absence means summer signing Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored his fourth goal for the club in Tuesday’s 3-3 Premier League draw with Manchester United, remains the Magpies’ only fit specialist striker.

They have been tracking a series of possible additions in that department in recent weeks and have been linked with Chelsea’s Loic Remy and QPR’s Charlie Austin.

West Brom’s Saido Berahino is among others whose situations are being monitored, but the Magpies are far from alone in that interest.

The goals Newcastle scored against Manchester United were their first in five games in all competitions, with the addition of strike power a major focus this month.