Toon Defenders Could Miss Glamour Fixture

01 October 2012 12:38
Alan Pardew is sweating on the fitness of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor for the Premier League game against Manchester United.

Coloccini has made just three appearances this season and returned from a hamstring injury picked up on Argentina duty in last week's Capital One Cup defeat by the Red Devils.

He subsequently sat out Saturday's 2-2 draw at Reading, while fellow centre-half Taylor suffered a hamstring injury early in the second half at the Madejski Stadium.

Alan Pardew: "We have been solid defensively and that was the first game we have been got at, mainly because of taking a centre-half off at that time.

"Going from right-back to centre-half is a difficult mode and he (Perch) just got caught out.

"He has been brilliant when he has played there, I have no worries about him.

"Colo isn't far away. I think for Manchester United we'll be sweating on Colo and Steven."

Source: FOOTYMAD