McClaren Insists He "Can't Make A Decision" On Newcastle Star's Future Yet

Coloccini needs to play before McClaren can decide if he wants the Argentine or not.

by Chris Waugh
Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has refused to confirm that Fabricio Coloccini will be at the club once the transfer window shuts - insisting he must see the Magpies skipper play before deciding on the Argentine's future. Coloccini has been persistently linked with a move to Crystal Palace, and more recently Olympiacos, in recent weeks and has yet to play a single minute of pre-season football due to an Achilles problem. With six of Newcastle's seven pre-season friendlies now out of the way, and just Borussia Monchengladbach to come on Saturday, Coloccini - who was at Bootham Crescent for the Magpies' 2-1 loss to York City, but only in the stands - is facing an uncertain future on Tyneside. https://twitter.com/juliette_grace/status/626480971806863360 Speaking after the match to the Shields Gazette, McClaren said when asked if Coloccini would play at all in pre-season:
"That's a good question. We want to see him out on the field. At the present moment, he's not. We have to get to that situation very soon. "I€™ve come in. He's done well in training. He's got a little niggle, but we want to see him playing. "He's the captain. he plays a vital role and the rest of the players are looking and want him on the field. We hope that€™s sooner rather than later. "I've come in and said to Lee (Charnley) and the board that I€™d like to see him playing. I haven't seen that yet, so I can't make a decision on the future. "We just need to get him on the field."
Coloccini, who is currently struggling with an Achilles problem, signed for Newcastle for £10.3 million from Deportivo La Coruna back in 2008 and the 39-cap Argentina international has made 248 appearances for the Magpies, scoring six times. Will Coloccini play any part against Monchengladbach at St James' Park on Saturday? Or is the Argentine's Tyneside career over? For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
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Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.