Transfer Centre

Alan Pardew rules out defender move

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 04 January 2014

Alan Pardew rules out the prospect of dipping into the transfer market for a defender in light of Fabricio Coloccini's six-week layoff.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has dismissed the possibility that he will sign a defender in the January transfer window.

Fabricio Coloccini is facing a six-week layoff after sustaining a knee injury in the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day, prompting speculation that Pardew may enter the transfer market in a bid to replace his captain.

However, the 52-year-old has refuted the notion that he is being forced into recruitment, claiming that he has enough depth within the squad in the form of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Steven Taylor to adequately cover the Argentine.

He told The Daily Star: "Colo's knee injury is a grade two and therefore doesn't need surgery, so it's a process of between four to six weeks.

"But I don't think that means me making a transfer. I don't see why I should do that.

"I've got Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa here, who we paid £8.5million for, and he was very unlucky to lose his place, while there's also Steven Taylor, who we know is a great player. So there's no need for any knee-jerk reaction."

The Magpies host Cardiff City at St James' Park this afternoon in a third-round FA Cup clash.