Pardew eager to keep Coloccini at Newcastle

The Magpies coach has stated that he wants the Argentine defender to remain at the Tyneside club, despite the 30-year-old asking to leave this week

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is preparing to hold talks with Fabricio Coloccini after rumours surfaced last week suggesting the Argentina international is looking to leave St James’ Park.

The 30-year-old's father stirred trouble on January 3 when he said: "Fabricio wants to play for San Lorenzo and he is trying his best to find an elegant way to leave Newcastle."

However the Newcastle captain's agent quashed the idea of a move, describing talk of a transfer as "illusions and nothing more."

Pardew has, however, admitted that he will hold talks with Coloccini next week.

"I didn't really want to comment too much on it because it's for our club business, but we'll speak to Colo this week and sort it out," he told Sky Sports.

Coloccini skippered the Magpies to a goalless draw at Norwich on Saturday, with Pardew praising the center-back’s overall performance.

"He was excellent today.” he continued. “Of the four centre-halves on the pitch he was the most assured.

"He gave us that calmness in the heat of battle and you need that."