Colo In Contention For Tottenham Trip

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Fit-again captain Fabricio Coloccini could return to the Newcastle United rearguard at Tottenham on Sunday.

The Argentine centre-back has missed the Magpies' last four matches with a groin injury picked up on international duty.

However, Coloccini returned to training this week and manager Alan Pardew is confident of being able to call upon the 31-year-old at White Hart Lane in the Barclays Premier League.

The same cannot be said though for fellow defender Steven Taylor, who remains sidelined by a hamstring complaint.

"Colo has been training for two or three days and is obviously okay," explained Pardew.

"Steven, I think, should be okay after the international break."

Despite Coloccini's absence, United have drawn against Liverpool, taken Manchester City to extra-time in the Capital One Cup and also beaten top flight title contenders Chelsea.

And Pardew paid tribute to the likes of Mike Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who have proved that there is quality to call upon in the absence of others.

"It's the first time we've lost Colo and actually looked comfortable, more comfortable than when we've been without him in the past.

"That is a big boost for us as a group. When you lose a player and think you can't cope then it affects everybody else.

"We've proved we can cope without him, we've proved we can cope without Cabaye, we can cope without anybody because it's about the team.

"We look a little bit stronger in depth and that is good."