Papiss Cisse is home a-loan as Wonga shirt row rumbles on

PAPISS CISSE cut a lonely figure yesterday after sitting out Newcastle’s tour of Portugal.

The Senegal striker, 28, trained on his own at Toon’s Benton HQ while his team-mates prepared for tomorrow’s friendly against Rio Ave 1,500 miles away.

Cisse refused to travel as his bitter row over the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with short-term loan company Wonga rumbles on.

The Muslim will not wear any kit featuring the payday loan company’s logo due to religious beliefs.

And Newcastle have so far refused to give in to his demands to wear an unbranded shirt, with talks this week having reached stalemate.

Cisse has been given a fitness programme to follow with a club coach.

But his future is now in serious doubt and boss Alan Pardew has cranked up his search for a replacement.

Darren Bent remains Newcastle’s No 1 target and there is a hope a £6million deal could finally be completed in the next few days.

QPR’s French hitman Loic Remy is the other main name in the frame.