Doumbia ready for Newcastle debut '“ in the U21s
The striker, signed on loan from AS Roma on transfer deadline day a week ago, is yet to play for his new club.
Doumbia was an unused substitute for Saturday’s 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, which was decided by a goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic.
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Hide AdBut the 28-year-old will play in the Under-21 Premier League game against Stoke City, which has been moved to St James’s Park (7pm kick-off).
“We’ve got a game on Monday, so he’ll get some minutes,” said head coach Steve McClaren.
McClaren had been tempted to throw Doumbia – who had been on loan at CSKA Moscow – on against West Brom.
However, the Ivory Coast international hasn’t played for weeks because of the winter break in Russia.
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Hide AdAnd McClaren felt he would be better getting a run-out for Peter Beardsley’s side instead.
“He’s only trained a couple of days,” said McClaren.
“We wanted to throw him on, but kept Mitro on for the set-plays.”