And his club and country team-mate Jonas Gutierrez believes Coloccini's importance to the black and white cause has been underlined during his spell on the sidelines.

Coloccini – expected to start against Sheffield United tonight – has missed Newcastle's last five games through the groin injury he suffered at Ipswich Town.

With United having only claimed five points during his absence, Gutierrez – linked with a January move to AS Roma over the weekend – believes the defender's return to Chris Hughton's defence is a timely one, with Steven Taylor and Zurab Khizanishvili missing through injury and suspension.

"We've had a lot of injured players, and we don't have a big squad," Gutierrez told the Gazette. "And that's a real problem.

"Some players are coming back, so that is good for the team. Colo's a top-class, experienced player.

"He's very important to have Colo in the defence. The players are suited to Colo when he plays.

"We have other options, but Colo is an experienced player, and it's good to have him back.

"I think we started the season very well, home and away. If you look at the last five games, they were more difficult.

"We have had injuries, so that has been a problem, but we can take confidence into this game.

"It will be physical – we know that – and the most important thing for us is to try and keep a clean sheet, and to keep the ball the most time we can.

"If we do that, the other team has to run more than us. We have to do the right things to take the three points."

Meanwhile, Gutierrez's agent, Pedro Jimenez-Bravo, said yesterday the 26-year-old – signed from Real Mallorca last year – had an "option" to leave the club in the next transfer window.

He said: "We know European clubs are interested.

"We have held meetings with Newcastle, but there is an option for the player to leave, although it must be a good offer."

Gutierrez – a key figure for Diego Maradona's Argentina side – is still looking for his first goal 42 games into his Newcastle career.

* Tonight's game – which kicks off at 7.45pm – is being broadcast live by Sky Sports.