---
title: "Palace Close In On Defender As He’s Dropped From All Pre-Season Activities"
canonical: "https://readcrystalpalace.com/2015/08/02/palace-close-in-on-defender-as-hes-dropped-from-all-pre-season-activities/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Crystal Palace Transfer News"
published: "2015-08-02T19:05:57Z"
modified: "2015-08-02T19:05:57Z"
---

# Palace Close In On Defender As He’s Dropped From All Pre-Season Activities

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](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/newcastle-transfer-news-toon-boss-steve-mcclaren-waiting-on-fabricio-coloccinis-fitness-before-deciding-his-future-10427374.html) 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.