Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse donned the club’s controversial ‘Wonga’ strip for the first time, as he started and scored in the club’s pre-season friendly at St Mirren.
Cisse had earlier broken his silence in his row over new club sponsor Wonga, revealing he consulted Islamic teachers before deciding to pull on the team’s new shirt.
He made his first appearance of pre-season against Scottish side St Mirren on Tuesday night, and scored after 19 minutes with a curling shot having been set up by Sammy Ameobi.
Cisse had been at loggerheads with Newcastle over the deal with payday loan company Wonga, which the striker said conflicted with his Muslim beliefs.
The Senegalese star, who earns £40,000 a week, missed the club’s training camp in Portugal over the row, but insists he is now ready to concentrate on his game and was spotted training in kit carrying the Wonga branding.
‘I have had some useful discussions with my club, my family and Islamic teachers in the last few weeks. After a huge amount of thought and reflection I have made the decision to follow my teammates and wear the kit,’ he said.
‘Now I think it is important for the team and the fans that we concentrate 100 per cent on football.
‘Although I did not go to Portugal on the training camp, I was back here working hard on my fitness and preparing for the start of the new season.
‘Since then it has been great to be training with my team-mates again. I feel great and ready to go, and cannot wait to be out there against St Mirren on Tuesday and to play my part for the team.’