Newcastle United caretaker coach Chris Hughton has no concerns over Fabricio Coloccini handling the pressure of the relegation battle.

"Colo's a tough individual. I saw in one paper recently that the crowd had been criticising him, but I wasn't aware of that - what we have in Coloccini is a tough individual," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"During his period in Spain last season I don't think he missed a game and he hasn't missed a game this season for us. It's normal that their form is up and down.

"But this is an individual that is always available and, during a season like this when we've had injuries and when, like during my first period in charge, we've got a bench full of young, Academy players, he's always available."