Alan Pardew backs Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to perform against Liverpool

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has expressed his belief that Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will be a good replacement for the injured Fabricio Coloccini.

The defender will miss this weekend's match against Liverpool after he returned from international duty with Argentina with a groin injury.

Pardew has admitted that Yanga-Mbiwa has impressed him in training.

"The most important thing is his response on the pitch, but his response in training has been very good," Pardew told Football365.com.

"Sometimes you need to come out to have a little breather. You could perhaps say his chance has come early, with Colo's injury, to come back in, so it will be interesting, his performance.

"I hope - I really hope because he's a terrific person - that he puts in great display on Saturday."

Yanga-Mbiwa has made 27 appearances for Newcastle since joining the club from Montpellier HSC in January.