Cheick Tiote prevented from entering US for Newcastle’s preseason tour
Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is training back on Tyneside after being refused a visa to join the rest of the squad in the United States. The Ivory Coast international was not among the party which jetted out to America at … Continue reading →

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is training back on Tyneside after being refused a visa to join the rest of the squad in the United States.

The Ivory Coast international was not among the party which jetted out to America at the weekend and head coach Steve McClaren has since confirmed he did not travel because of an administrative issue.

McClaren told the Chronicle: “He has had visa complications and trying to get him over the visa issue has been difficult, but it wasn't successful. He is training back home.”

People with criminal convictions sometimes have problems in securing a visa for the United States. Tiote was given a seven-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and 180 hours community service in October 2013 after admitting possession of a fake driving license.

Then Newcastle players Joey Barton and Nile Ranger, who both had criminal convictions, were refused entry during the summer of 2011, as was Yohan Cabaye, although the Frenchman's issue was an unpaid dentist's bill.

SEE MORE — See list of preseason summer friendlies scheduled for the United States.

Meanwhile, McClaren has also confirmed that fellow midfielder Sylvain Marveaux will miss the start of the new season after undergoing surgery to repair a hernia.

He said: “He is in for a hernia operation, if not he's had it already. It's four to six weeks, I think.”

New signing Georginio Wijnaldum is due to join his team-mates on the other side of the Atlantic on Wednesday after completing his move to St James' Park from PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.