Newcastle are united in battle against relegation, say players

Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote have denied claims of disharmony at Newcastle, insisting players are united in the goal to avoid relegation.

Reports suggested there was some division in the squad after heavy home defeats by Sunderland and Liverpool.

"Every player is together, there is no divide in the team," striker Cisse told the club's website, while midfielder Tiote added: "We are in this together."

Newcastle are 17th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.

They travel to West Ham on Saturday before finishing the season with at relegated Queens Park Rangers and at home to Arsenal.

"We are totally focussed on Saturday's game at West Ham and the two games after that," Senegal international Cisse said.

"We have a strong bond and we want the best for our club, our manager and our wonderful fans."

In the wake of Saturday's 6-0 home defeat by Liverpool, Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias added: "The club is determined to turn things around and everyone is working together to secure that goal.

"It is not helpful when people try and distract the team and the manager with false rumours."