The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that he is extremely delighted with the return of the Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini following a three match ban. The 30-year-old will be returning to the Newcastle United first team for the match against Stoke city after missing the last three matches due to a ban. Coloccini has been one of the important players for Newcastle over the last few seasons. He was instrumental in helping them get back into the Premier League from the Championship, while he was also one of the best players of the team in their fifth place finish last season.
This season, though, has been extremely tough for Newcastle because they have struggled for form in the league, while also learning to cope with the extensive schedule of the Europa league. As a result of this, they are currently closer to the relegation zone. Pardew has said that he could not welcome Coloccini back to the team at a much better time. The Argentine defender has not only been one of the best defenders for the club, but he has also been a great leader as well. He was recently called up for the Argentine national squad after an extended absence for the friendly match against Saudi Arabia.
“He missed three games and we lost all three, so that gives you some indication. As a manager and as a coaching team, we have looked at everything we have done. We have changed some stuff, which we think might help, and we have to change the environment because we have got a different set of players now. It’s all very much now about us all pulling really strongly in whichever role we are given,” said Pardew. Despite their league struggle, Newcastle are closer to qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa league.
