Newcastle United vs West Ham United: Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet to debut, Cheick Tiote nears exit

Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet are both in contention to make their Newcastle United debuts against West Ham United on Saturday 16 January, but Cheick Tiote is on the brink of leaving St James' Park.

With the club sat second from bottom in the Premier League, manager Steve McClaren has wasted little time in attempting to rejuvenate his beleaguered squad. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's clash, the Newcastle boss confirmed the club are looking to make further additions amid links with Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend and West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino.

But amid the arrivals, McClaren confirmed Tiote is on the brink of leaving the club for the Chinese Super League.

McClaren told a press conference, relayed through the club's Twitter account: "There has been an approach from a Chinese team and Cheick is currently on his way to meet them. Nothing has been finalised."

Tiote, 29, has been limited to just seven league appearances in the league and, with the arrival of midfielders Shelvey and Saivet, is unlikely to see his fortunes improve.

The two January signings will also have the chance to make an immediate impact in front of their new supporters against Slaven Bilic's side.

"Jonjo and Henri have trained a couple of days and we knew their quality," McClaren continued. "It is about them bedding in and getting used to the team. Both players are in the squad and both have a chance [of making their debut]."

While Newcastle have had a largely positive week, making two signings and drawing with Manchester United, McClaren also confirmed Siem de Jong has suffered another worrying injury.

The Dutchman has already endured lengthy spells on the sidelines with a thigh problem and a collapsed lung and has now received an eye injury that will rule him out of Saturday's match.

"Siem sustained an eye injury on Wednesday. It looks very serious, he was in hospital and will be out for one or two weeks."