Rob Lee has urged Fabricio Coloccini to commit himself to Newcastle United.

The future of the Magpies captain is under a cloud at St James' Park with news that the north east club are still on the lookout for another central defender.

Steve McClaren has already added young Belgian centre-half Chancel Mbemba to his defensive stocks of Steven Taylor, Jamaal Lascelles and Mike Williamson but still it is believed that he wants further reinforcements despite Coloccini being on the books.

Former Magpies skipper Lee believes that if 33-year-old Argentine Coloccini was to fully commit himself to the cause, then it could turn out well for all involved.

"If Coloccini does pledge his future to Newcastle that will certainly be good news for the short term future of the club," Lee told Kicca.

"He's the skipper and a leader on the pitch. But most importantly he's the best centre-back Newcastle have got.

"If there was a better player in that position then it would not be the end of the world if he left, but at the moment there isn't. There have always been rumours he was to leave the club and return to Argentina, but he has stayed.

"He has had an up and down career at Newcastle, but when he's on his game he is still a very good player. And he's still got a couple of good years left in him."