Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has admitted that his lack of English is causing difficulties on the pitch.

The Senegalese international has netted three times in five league appearances for the Magpies since joining from German outfit Freiburg in January.

Despite a positive start to his career on Tyneside, Cisse is aiming to improve his grasp of the English language to further help him settle at the club.

"I've made a good start to my career at Newcastle on the pitch, scoring in three of my first four home games, but it has been difficult off the field as I don't speak English yet," he told the Daily Mirror.

"It is hard for me to understand sometimes what people are saying but, thankfully, the manager has been patient.

"I speak four languages and, with people at the club helping me all the time, I feel I will soon be able to converse in English."

Cisse has been named in the Magpies starting lineup for their clash with West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.