McClaren’s captain still has not played a minute of pre-season.
McClaren said: “We want to see him out on the field and we have to get to that situation soon.
“Colo has done very well in training.
“He has a little niggle but we want to see him playing because he is the captain and he plays a vital role.
“We hope that is sooner rather than later.”
Reflecting on talk Coloccini could make the move to Crystal Palace, McClaren said: “I’ve heard speculation.
“I’ve come in and said to Lee (Charnley) and the board, myself included, that I would like to see him in training and I’d like to see him play.
“I haven’t done that yet so I can’t make a decision on the future at the present moment. “We just need to get him on the field.”