Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has heaped praise on wantaway captain Fabricio Coloccini and remains hopeful that the club can hang on to the defender.

Coloccini helped the Magpies to a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Norwich City today, producing a display that Pardew described as "excellent".

However, the Argentine defender is thought to be keen on a move back to his home country to be reunited with his wife, and Pardew revealed that the 30-year-old will hold talks with the club over his future next week.

"Of course," Pardew said when asked whether he was hopeful of keeping the defender. "We will speak to him this week and we will resolve that situation."

"He was excellent today. Of the four centre-halves on the pitch he was the most assured. He gave us that calmness in the heat of battle and you need that."

Argentine club San Lorenzo are thought to be interested in Coloccini, but admitted that they would not be able to afford a big-money transfer.