Ebola: Newcastle United Keep An Eye On African Players

17 October 2014, 06:00 | Updated: 17 October 2014, 10:05

Doctors at Newcastle United will closely monitor players who are returning from African Nations Cup qualifiers in light of the Ebola outbreak.

Although no players have travelled back to the UK from the worst-affected parts of West Africa, the issue has been considered by club medics.

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew said the club doctor has made plans to look after key players Cheik Tiote and Papiss Cisse.

Midfielder Tiote played for Ivory Coast and striker Cisse was with Senegal this week before returning to Tyneside.

Neither country has an outbreak.

Pardew said:
"We would be naive not have concerns. We have a strategy for when they return and making sure they and their families are taken care of.

They are essential to us and our doctor has looked into the problems that might arise and also protection for them, and to make sure we do our very best to help them.''

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone midfielder Michael Lahoud, who plays in the US for Philadelphia Union, said team-mates from the national side had felt humiliated by their treatment by opponents.

Sierra Leone have been forced to play home African Cup of Nations qualifiers in neutral countries because of the Ebola outbreak.

He said rival fans chanted "Ebola'' at the team and some opponents refused to shake hands or swap shirts after the game.

He said: "It is really causing a lot of tension and friction.''

He has not been involved with the national side this month as it is the climax of the MLS season in the US.