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Fabricio Coloccini wants to finish his career at Newcastle United - according to head coach Steve McClaren.

The club captain has not played a single minute of pre-season action after complaining of an Achilles injury.

That has left Newcastle struggling to field a convincing central defensive partnership throughout the summer programme.

And with Chancel Mbemba also short of match fitness ahead of the opening game of the season with Southampton, either Mike Williamson – who many thought would leave after some poor performances last season – and the inexperienced Jamaal Lascelles are vying to partner Steven Taylor against the Saints.

Mbemba played part of the game against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday after coming on at right-back in the second half.

But the focus will be on Coloccini this week to prove his fitness in time for Sunday.

There is still though to be interest in Coloccini from Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew spoke of a great “affection” with his former skipper on Saturday night after a 1-1 draw with Fulham.

But McClaren seems eager to get one final year out of the Argentina international.

He said: “I have spoken to him several times.

“Seven years he has been at Newcastle.

“He is coming to the end of his career and he wants to finish it here.

“I have said great, that will do me, and let’s just get him on the field and playing now.

“He has got a year left on his contract and Newcastle is always his preferred choice.

“I know there is speculation but my indication is that he wants to stay here and take the club forward.”

But the big question will be whether Coloccini is ready for the clash with the Saints.

McClaren said: “The work that the majority of the squad have been doing – that work will be done this week and we need to do that.

“We will assess it and see how he trains.

“A lot of them still need work, and we have to get the work in pretty quick.”

Newcastle also have Paul Dummett nearing fitness again after a hamstring injury ruled him out of pre-season.

But the big kick off could come to soon for the Geordie defender.