Coloccini stays at Newcastle after talks with club

(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) Fabricio Coloccini has pledged his short-term future to Newcastle after being persuaded to drop plans to return to his native Argentina for personal reasons.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says his captain will stay at the club until at least the end of this season.

Pardew says on Friday "we have managed to persuade him that, as much as his family, we need him," adding that Coloccini "understands he has a big responsibility here to fans and to families of this club."

Coloccini has been one of Newcastle's best players over the last two seasons but is believed to have wanted a transfer back to Argentina for family reasons. San Lorenzo was linked with the player.

Newcastle has already lost leading striker Demba Ba to Chelsea this month.

Updated January 25, 2013