Sissoko has, like the rest of the team, failed to find his best form in recent weeks, but he has still comfortably been the best of Newcastle United ’s January buys.
Unfortunately for manager Alan Pardew, the ankle injury that kept the France international out of their 0-0 draw at West Ham United last Saturday is likely to end his season.
The former Toulouse player’s absence deprives Newcastle of their most influential player and while Pardew has strangely refused to play him in his favoured central midfield position, he will be a big loss to a side that is short on confidence and form.
Newcastle fans are starting to fear the worst. Although Pardew was in boastful mood after the draw at Upton Park and claimed it was a good result and performance, it was actually a bad weekend for the Magpies.
With Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic both winning away while Newcastle were clinging on for a draw, and Sunderland salvaging a point to go back above their local rivals on goal difference on Monday night, Newcastle are looking increasingly vulnerable.
The failure to beat West Ham means they will have to win one of their remaining two games to have any chance of staying up. Although their home form has been solid, the fact they are facing Champions League chasing Arsenal at St James’ Park on the final day means there is huge pressure and expectancy surrounding the trip to Loftus Road on Sunday.
Alarmingly, though, Newcastle have won just once on the road this season in the league this season and only Reading have picked up less points on the road. If Newcastle do not do something special at Loftus Road they could well be playing both Reading and QPR again in the second tier next season.
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