Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed that plans are in place to deal with a number of players who have returned from Africa this week amid the Ebola crisis.

The virus, which originates from the continent, has recently resulted in more than 4,000 deaths, largely in West Africa.

Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote and Senegal's Papiss Cisse are travelling back to the North-East of England today after competing in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

"We would be naive not to have concerns," Pardew told reporters. "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."

Last weekend, AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien was forced to deny rumours that he had contracted the virus.