Pardew hopes for Fab deal

Fabricio Coloccini: Yet to sign his new contract on offer from Newcastle

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is keen for captain Fabricio Coloccini to sign a new deal at St James' Park.

The Magpies are in talks with Coloccini over a new long-term deal with his current contract due to expire at the end of next season.

A number of clubs are thought to be monitoring Coloccini's contract situation at Newcastle with the Argentine catching the eye this season for the Magpies.

Pardew is a huge admirer of Coloccini and wants the defender to play a big part in his plans for the future.

Admiration

"Fabricio represents everything I like," said Pardew. "He was the number one choice to be captain and there wasn't really a number two in the running. He was always going to be the captain unless he suffered an injury.

"I admire him as much as a person as a player and there are not many players I would say that about. He's really fantastic, the perfect character to be captain of this club.

"I hope we get his new contract signed and he will be here as captain for the next three or four years because he is very influential in everything I want to do."