Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has rejected reports that there are troublesome characters within the dressing room.

The Magpies are yet to win a Premier League game this season following two draws and four defeats.

Rumours have emerged claiming that injured midfielder Cheick Tiote has been causing rifts among the team, but McClaren has moved quickly to dispel the reports, and also spoke of Papiss Cisse's demeanour.

"There's been no problem with Cheick. He's not a bad egg at all," FourFourTwo quotes McClaren as saying. "I know Cheick well, I obviously had him at Twente and he's no trouble. He doesn't cause trouble, he just wants to play.

"Papiss is Papiss, and he goes around with a smile on his face. That's the culture that he's got.

"[Cheick's] no bad egg - he just wants to play football, but he's not been able to do that, so he's frustrated. He's definitely not been feigning injury."

Newcastle will host Sheffield Wednesday at St James' Park in the Capital One Cup this evening.