Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is confident Fabricio Coloccini will stay strong for the remainder of the season.

The central defender has clearly been affected by his off-field crisis in recent weeks, but his manager is confident he is ready psychologically to handle what lies ahead.

Pardew said: "Coloccini is going to stay with us and will remain as captain, which is fantastic news for us.

"We have managed to persuade him that, as much as his family, we need him. He has shown fantastic loyalty to come and play and see us through until the summer at the very least.

"The psychology of these particular problems he has had has been difficult for him. He has played under duress emotionally, rather than physically, and that's just as demanding as having an injured leg, for example.

"But I am clear in my mind that we have cleared up a few things and that he knows where he stands here.

"He needs to understand he has a responsibility to our fans and players and staff here because there will be jobs lost if we don't make it.

"He is going to be a massive influence on whether we get out of the situation we are in."