ALAN PARDEW has admitted he is reluctant to throw Fabricio Coloccini straight back into the fray against Chelsea this weekend, despite the Newcastle United skipper returning to training this week.

Coloccini has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury in the closing stages of last month’s 2-0 win at West Brom, with Mike Williamson, Paul Dummett and Steven Taylor sharing centre-half responsibilities in his absence.

The Argentinian trained earlier today, raising hopes he could be available to return in Saturday’s home game with a Chelsea side who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Pardew admits he is still to make a definitive decision on a number of his injured players, but with five more December games still to come once the weekend is over, he is reluctant to ask too much of Coloccini at such an early stage of his recovery.

“Coloccini has been on the training ground today, but whether he has enough fitness levels to play a game at this level, I don’t know,” said the Newcastle boss.

“I can’t really give a clear message on injuries because we haven’t done much yet. We’ve had a lot of recovery time and a lot of players having massages and treatment. We’ll know a bit more tomorrow.”

While Coloccini, Williamson, Daryl Janmaat and Sammy Ameobi will all be assessed in the next 24 hours, Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback will definitely be available to face Chelsea after returning from the suspensions that kept them out of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley.

Sissoko’s return could be especially significant given his impressive recent form, and his strong previous record against Chelsea which includes scoring the winner against Jose Mourinho’s side at St James’ Park two seasons ago.

“It’s great to have them back, particularly Moussa,” said Pardew. “Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson from West Ham (when he was sent off). He’s been outstanding and our best player, and actually been very effective against Chelsea.

“I know Jose will have one eye on him to make sure he doesn’t impact on the game. He’s a big player for us. Jack has been just as important in a quieter way. He’s not noticed by everybody, but certainly our coaching staff know he’s done a brilliant job.”

Papiss Cisse is likely to continue in attack after scoring his fifth goal of the season on Tuesday, and Pardew has praised the Senegal international’s scoring rate after he converted his only real opportunity at Turf Moor.

“Papiss is a player who has five goals in the Premier League, and he’s probably only had eight chances,” he said. “That’s Papiss. He has a consistent strike rate when he gets the chances.

“I was very pleased because it was a difficult goal he got against Burnley. Not many players would have adjusted like he did, although it was maybe the little lump he has on his knee that took it in!”

Pardew accepts the current Chelsea side is superior to the ones that Newcastle beat at home in each of the last two seasons, but insists his players are capable of springing yet another surprise.

“The Chelsea team is stronger this year and they look confident,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean to say we can’t beat them. We have tremendous pace in the team and technical assets and we’ll give it as good a go as we can.

“I think our fans realise that every week, we’re turning up and getting to the coalface and giving it a good old bashing. If we’re good enough, we’re good enough. If we’re not, we’ll fall. But there’s a good spirit in the group and a good feeling that we can cause an upset.”