Gutiérrez returns to squad after testicular cancer

Jonás Gutiérrez is set to make an emotional return to Newcastle United’s first-team fold at St James’ Park on Saturday when the Argentina midfielder will almost certainly be on the bench.


John Carver has named Gutiérrez in his squad for the home game against Aston Villa, convinced the 31-year-old is finally ready to make a comeback following his recovery from testicular cancer.

Gutiérrez last featured for Newcastle’s first team at Cardiff on 2 October 2013 and has been working on his fitness since his chemotherapy ended in November.

By late December he was back at the training ground and he declined a mooted return to Argentina with Vélez Sarsfield this month. “Jonás will almost certainly be on the bench on Saturday,” said Carver. “It’s a huge lift for everyone.”

This week Gutiérrez, who is out of contract in the summer, had fuelled rumours that further appearances would trigger the offer of a new deal by tweeting it was down to the board whether he played for Newcastle again. The club’s head coach swiftly deconstructed this theory.

“I know there have been rumours out there about the board picking him,” said Carver. “But I make the football decisions. I’ve had no conversations with Mike [Ashley, Newcastle’s owner] or Lee [Charnley, the managing director] about Jonás because I’m the one who picks the team.” Only last week Carver played down the chances of Gutiérrez being involved in the first XI this season but he explained such comments had merely been intended to deflect pressure from the player.

“I think Jonás was just assuming that it was a board decision not to play him but it was me not wanting to put any pressure on him after the illness and everything he’s gone through,” said Alan Pardew’s successor. “I was waiting for him to come to me and say: ‘Right, I’m ready’.

“He came to see me this morning. We had a conversation and both agreed the time is right for him. I told him he needs to be ready to come off the bench. I don’t know why he said what he did but I’ve put the record straight. He obviously thinks the board are making the decisions but it’s me, it’s my decision. And it’s totally a football decision.”

With Jack Colback suspended and Cheik Tioté injured, Gutiérrez could prove useful in central midfield. Indeed one of the reasons behind his promotion from the reserves is the Argentinian’s versatility.

“I see him as cover for the left and for the middle of midfield and he’s even played international football at full-back,” said Carver. “But for Jonás to actually come back and play in the Premier League again would be magnificent. He’s had a hard fight – but today I’ve seen the old Jonás Gutiérrez. Today was the first time I’ve seen that.”

Now Gutiérrez’s challenge is to prove to Newcastle – or someone else – that he is worth a contract next season. “He’s fighting for his career,” acknowledged Carver. “It’s an important time for him. He’s got three months left here so at every opportunity he’ll want to prove a point. That determination could also help us.

“When we announce the team at the weekend and our fans hear that Jonás is on the bench, can you imagine the feeling in the stadium? There’s going to be a feel-good factor. But I’m not doing it for that reason. I’m doing it for football reasons.”


By Louise Taylor, Guardian