Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson is ready to step in for Fabricio Coloccini.

Coloccini withdrew from an Argentina training session on Wednesday, complaining of tightness in his right hamstring.

"If the manager wants to use the squad players for the Europa League, it's a chance for them to stake a claim for the Premier League," he told the Evening Chronicle.

"We all want to play in the Premier League, and these games are a chance to impress. If a player is given a chance, he's got to take it.

"We've got a big squad now, and that means competition for places."