Crystal Palace are said to be closing in on the signing of Fabricio Coloccini as he continues to be omitted from all of Newcastle’s pre-season games.
The Independent claim that new Toon boss Steve McClaren is unsure about the Argentine’s future at the club, but wants to see him return to full fitness before making his final decision.
“I’ve heard speculation [about a move to Palace] but I’ve come in and said to Lee [Charnley, managing director] and the board that we want to see him training and playing.
“I haven’t done that so I can’t make a decision on the future at the present moment.”
“I’ve come in, he’s done well in training, got a niggle but we want to see him playing. He’s captain and the rest of the players want him on the field, we hope he is sooner rather than later.”
The 33-year-old hasn’t featured in any pre-season game for Newcastle this summer, and has been constantly been linked with a move back to his homeland Argentina.
Pardew, his former manager at St. James’ Park, has always been a fan of the maverick defender, and wants him to partner Scott Dann at the heart of his defence and add some athleticism to the back line.
