Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has said he believes Papiss Cisse received a much-needed confidence boost when he scored in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke on Wednesday.

GettyImagesPapiss Cisse put his side ahead at Stoke

Cisse gave Newcastle the lead just after half-time with just his second Premier League goal this season, and Pardew said he had given his number nine a new role at the Britannia Stadium.

"Sometimes it is just about a bit of confidence," Pardew said. "We gave him a different role and some responsibility to score goals.

"I thought he might come up with a goal, and he did. He was terrific all night."

Newcastle are 14th in the Premier League and have won only once in eight games, and the manager said: "We are not really getting any breaks.

"We are very much aware it is four defeats in a row, and we cannot really complain about some of them.

"I thought we should have had a penalty when [Ryan] Shawcross stopped the ball going back to Cissé. There were two errors for the goals, but it was such an improved display."

Cisse said he was happy with his goal but disappointed with the result, adding: "I scored, but the team did not win.

"I was very happy to score and my team-mates were happy for me, but we would much rather be celebrating a win together."

Newcastle welcome Wigan to St James' Park on Monday, and the striker added: "It is now all about Monday. We have the weekend to work and prepare for the game.

"I hope I can continue scoring, but the most important thing is that the team starts winning."