Pardew determined to resolve Coloccini 'crisis'

14 Jan 2013 10:10:00

The centre-back is understood to want to return home due to personal reasons but the manager is confident the matter can be resolved, while also admitting he needs a new striker

Alan Pardew is confident he can persuade Fabricio Coloccini to remain at Newcastle United and get through his current "crisis" off the pitch.

The Toon skipper's father revealed earlier this month that the defender has requested to be released from his contract in order to return to Argentina, with his wife reportedly ill.

Coloccini's former club San Lorenzo have targeted a move for the 30-year-old who would likely need to cancel his contract at St James' Park with the Argentine club unable to afford a transfer fee for him.

Asked if he was confident of finding a solution, Pardew told reporters: "Of course. We have got a meeting and we are going to try and resolve it.

"He is a class player. Great players can play through most crises.

"We have had a crisis in terms of our results. It’s players of his calibre - and Tim Krul and Yohan Cabaye - who are going to get us up the league."

Saturday’s draw against Norwich followed a run of four consecutive defeats, and the manager also commented on the need to look for attacking reinforcements.

Loic Remy looks set for St James' Park after Marseille accepted a €9.6 million bid for the striker over the weekend and will replace Demba Ba who joined Chelsea earlier this month.

He added: "Papiss [Cisse] needs help and, unfortunately, I couldn’t give him that. I haven’t got another striker who I think is at the level that there should be at this football club."