Alan Pardew hopes to have Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote back to face Swansea - but thinks it will be too early for Mike Williamson.
Newcastle boss more optimistic on Coloccini and Tiote injuries
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hopeful of having skipper Fabricio Coloccini and midfielder Cheick Tiote back from injury for Saturday's home game against Swansea - but thinks it will be too early for defender Mike Williamson.
Williamson has been sidelined since August with an ankle injury and Pardew is wary of throwing him straight back into Premier League action.
"Williamson will be a tough call. He hasn't really done much," Pardew told the
Newcastle Chronicle.
"He might have a run around in the reserves (on Tuesday), but to ask him to play in the first team is a long shot."
With Steven Taylor ruled out for the season due to an Achilles injury and Danny Guthrie at least a month away from fitness with a groin problem, Pardew is keen to restore Coloccini to his defence.
Capitalised
He felt the Argentine's absence was a major factor in Newcastle being undone by a series of set-pieces during their 4-2 defeat at Norwich last Saturday.
"It's the spirit sometimes of people on the pitch that can make a difference," said Pardew.
"Norwich capitalised on that. Everything was coming in the centre of our goal.
"We defended some of it very well, but unfortunately they got the goals that they needed."
On Coloccini's thigh injury, the Magpies boss said: "We don't think he's too bad - he's got a chance for next week."
And Tiote is in a similar position, Pardew adding: "Tiote's a possibility, and that'll be a big lift."
