Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse is reportedly ahead of schedule in his return to fitness from a knee operation.

There were fears that the Senegal international could be absent for the start of the new season after suffering a fractured patella during the Magpies' 2-1 defeat to Swansea City in April.

However, according to The Chronicle, a six-week rehab stint in Clairefontaine Medical Centre has been cut down to three weeks after Cisse made significant progress.

The publication have claimed that Cisse will return to Tyneside in three weeks' time for pre-season training.