McClaren Adamant Star Player Is Staying Put At Newcastle

By Chris Waugh / August 2, 2015

Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has insisted that Fabricio Coloccini is "still a big part of this football club", despite the Magpies skipper have failed to play a single minute of pre-season football. The Argentine has been the subject of reported interest from Greek side Olympiacos, as well as a with a reunion with his former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace. Coloccini has been struggling with an Achilles problem and sat out the Magpies' 1-0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, meaning he has not featured in any of Newcastle pre-season games.

Yet McClaren has denied this is because his skipper is leaving the football club. Instead, the former England boss has insisted he wants to keep hold of Coloccini. Speaking to The Chronicle on Saturday, McClaren said:

"There is a lot of speculation about Colo but he is still a big part of this football club. "I've stressed how much I want him here and to be part of the team and squad and I have expressed that to him and the club. "So yeah the speculation is the speculation, there has been no official approach by anybody or anyone. I hope Colo will be training with us on Tuesday."

Will Coloccini be in Newcastle's starting line-up for their Premier League opener against Southampton on Sunday? It seems unlikely, but perhaps more pressing is whether or not the Argentine is at the football club come the end of the summer transfer window. That remains to be seen... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.