THERE is a career in politics awaiting Demba Ba after football.

No one in the Newcastle camp is better at offering answers which appear to clarify a situation without offering any kind of guarantees whatsoever.

So when the striker was asked by United’s own press team about the latest tranche of speculation, he delivered the sort of non-committal statement which does little to lance those anxieties about his future.

He said: “I didn’t even know what was said in the papers because I didn’t read the papers.

“All I know is we’ve proved on the pitch on Monday night and what we did last Wednesday that we still have the spirit and still want to win and go forward.”

What is known is Ba, who has a release clause in his contract valued at £7.5million, has not agreed a new contract with Newcastle. His goal record makes him a hot property and he cannot be blamed for keeping his options open.

United are not prepared to pay him what his advisers believe he is worth and the cost to both club and player is the kind of uncertainty which has never been far from his door this calendar year.

It is not particularly edifying, but that is life when tough negotiators from both sides get round the table to talk about an important new contract.

We can expect more of the same as the January transfer window looms on the horizon.

It is a blessed relief there is more certainty surrounding his fitness, which was a source of fret when he hobbled off during Monday’s excellent win over Wigan. Tonight’s game against Bordeaux was never a consideration, but he should be fit to play at Fulham on Monday.

He said: “I’ll be okay - good treatment for the next few days and I’ll be okay.”

MARK DOUGLAS