Source: Northern_Echo
Guthrie hoping to play a central role
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S Danny Guthrie is desperate to retain his place in central midfield at Derby County this evening, but Joey Barton's return to fitness could scupper his chances of securing the role on a permanent basis.[LNB] Barton was back in training yesterday after nearly five months out with a foot injury, but boss Chris Hughton is determined to gradually ease the midfielder back in to the first-team picture.[LNB] The manager does not expect Barton to be in contention for another two to three weeks but if he can regain match sharpness the Scouser is arguably Newcastle's most accomplished midfielder.[LNB] Guthrie has been forced to content himself with a role on the right for most of the season, but played in a central role during Friday's 5-1 demolition of Cardiff City cannot have hurt his cause.[LNB] Hughton has favoured experienced pair Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan during the record-breaking 15-match unbeaten run and it remains to be seen if the manager entrusts Guthrie with the job of subduing the Rams' wily campaigner Robbie Savage.[LNB] I'll be disappointed if I don't keep my place there, but that's football, said Guthrie who claims he's happy to play in any position for the team.[LNB] There will be a bit of a strop if I don't play there, but there are a lot of games coming up and the manager has some tough decisions to make.[LNB] It was good to get a chance to play in the middle and I was happy with the performance as well.[LNB] I haven't had many opportunities to play there this season.[LNB] You know you are going to have to sacrifice yourself for the team. It is frustrating, but it's difficult to say anything when you're top of the league and putting in some decent performances.[LNB] The thing is, we've had Kevin Nolan and Alan Smith in there for most of the season and they've done really well, but I do think I can offer something different. I think a more open style does suit my style of play.[LNB] Asked if Barton, who served a prison term in 2008 after being found guilty of common assault and affray, was in the right frame of mind to contribute to Newcastle's promotion campaign, Hughton replied: Yes. It is a difficult period for anyone when you are out, it is very frustrating and everything that goes with it but he has handled it OK and he will certainly be looking to get back.[LNB] For the majority of the time he has been here, we have had no problems with Joey. He has been very good and very focused. We expect that to continue.[LNB] The problem is that he has missed a lot of football and when you have been out for as long as he has, the reality is you don't know. He will come back into training, normally it will take a few weeks to get up to speed, the pace of the training, and then of course, going into a game situation is completely different.'' Hughton expects to exercise Newcastle's option to extend left-back Patrick van Aanholt's one-month loan deal from Chelsea.[LNB] Newcastle (probable): Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Hall, van Aanholt; Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez; Carroll, Lovenkrands.[LNB]
