FABRICIO COLOCCINI has reiterated a desire to quit St James’ Park and return home to Argentina, though he wants to lead Newcastle United away from trouble first.

Coloccini remained on Tyneside after the transfer window because of a failure to reach an agreement over the remaining three-and-a-half years of his contract.

And the only club desperate to take him back to South America, San Lorenzo, were not in a position to meet Newcastle’s valuation or pay up the remaining term of the player’s reputed £70,000-aweek contract.

Coloccini, speaking in Sweden where he is on international duty, reassured supporters that he fully intends to keep performing well for Newcastle as they bid to climb clear of the relegation zone.

But the skipper, who signed a new long-term contract last year, insists he would still prefer to return to Argentina for unexplained personal reasons.

The former Deportivo la Coruna defender said: “I had found a home to live in to be with my family in Newcastle.

I had already prepared everything so I could spend the four years I had left with Newcastle.

“After this though the problems arose and I asked Newcastle to let me go as I needed to be in Argentina. I’m not thinking about what happens in May/June because I want to concentrate on Newcastle.

“I owe them that for the trust they have placed in me for five years and I want to give my best on the pitch, then we’ll see later.

“Newcastle have treated me in a great way and I am grateful to this day to the people, the fans and the club. The only situation was that I needed to return to Argentina for personal reasons. That need though to return to Argentina, still remains”.

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