Source: Northern_Echo
Coloccini likely to miss out
DIEGO MARADONA has challenged Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini to prove he deserves to be back in the Argentina squad ahead of this summer's World Cup squad.[LNB] Despite his impressive displays for the Magpies in the Championship this season, Coloccini has been overlooked by Maradona for the last scheduled friendly before the finals in South Africa.[LNB] Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez has been included for the game in Germany on March 3, but the absence of his St James' Park team-mate suggests he won't be part of Argentina's final squad.[LNB] Maradona already knows who will make up most of his 23-man party for the World Cup, and Coloccini has fallen down the pecking order.[LNB] Despite enjoying the best period of form since moving to English football, he is unlikely to join Gutierrez in South Africa this summer.[LNB] Gutierrez travels to Munich to meet up with the rest of the Argentina party after Saturday's trip to Watford.[LNB] He then expects to figure against Germany on the Wednesday before returning to Tyneside for the visit of Barnsley on March 6.[LNB] Coloccini will spend the time when his fellow contryman is away preparing for the fixture with the Tykes as Newcastle look to strengthen their hold of top spot in the Championship.[LNB] The 28-year-old was hoping for a recall from Maradona, but his worst fears are likely to be confirmed when the initial World Cup squad is announced.[LNB] Coloccini missed out twice recently as the Argentina boss named squads made up completely of homebased players for friendlies with Jamaica and Costa Rica.[LNB] Maradona said: All the players are being tested.[LNB] The ones who are not in this list have the same opportunities.[LNB] I already phoned 50 per cent of the players who will play at the World Cup.[LNB] While Newcastle manager Chris Hughton is satisfied with his squad, there is a chance he will bring in further loan signings before the window closes on the final Thursday in March.[LNB] But one player he is not interested in signing is Wigan's out-of-favour midfielder Jason Koumas.[LNB] Koumas is available after becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities for the Latics under Roberto Martinez.[LNB] But Hughton has insisted that Newcastle are not in the market for his services.[LNB] He said: There is nothing in that one. When I saw we had been linked that was honestly the first I knew about it.[LNB] Hughton will continue to assess the fitness of winger Wayne Routledge this week, in the hope his January signing will be fit to return to action against Watford.[LNB] Routledge missed the win over Preston with a calf problem, but Hughton confirmed yesterday the £1.2m buy is still likely to be a doubt up until the trip to Vicarage Road.[LNB]
