Source: Northern_Echo
Patient Guthrie accepts the need to wait for a chance
AFTER enduring an injuryplagued season, Newcastle United midfielder Danny Guthrie understands he will have to be patient in his quest for more Premier League starts.[LNB] Guthrie has made just 12 first-team appearances this season, having missed the first three months with a knee injury suffered on the eve of the opening game loss at Manchester United.[LNB] He has since returned, but having played an important part in the Tynesiders' Championship title-winning season, the 23-year old's first team opportunities have been limited.[LNB] The form of central pairing Cheik Tiote and Kevin Nolan has made it difficult for Guthrie to get back into Alan Pardew's side, with Joey Barton also impressing out on the right in Guthrie's other possible position.[LNB] Recent suspensions for Tiote and Nolan have seen Guthrie start the last two games but it is likely the pair will return when their bans have been completed.[LNB] The Ivory Coast international will be available for next Tuesday's meeting with Manchester United at St James' Park, but Nolan still has to serve the final game of his two-match suspension.[LNB] The Magpies are also confident Shola Ameobi will be fit to face the Red Devils, despite missing the defeat to Aston Villa with a knee problem.[LNB] Rumours circulated in the January transfer window that Guthrie could leave Tyneside but with a year left on his contract, the Liverpool-born midfielder insists he wants to stay.[LNB] It has been a frustrating season for me, he said. I have had a few injuries, three or four months out. And since I got injured, I have had to be patient.[LNB] I am not one for knocking on the manager's door. There is a time and a place for that but if the team is playing well, you do not have a leg to stand on. The manager has had words and told me to stay right and there will be chances.[LNB] There were rumours abut me going out on loan in January, I might have been interested if I was not playing but I am back involved now.[LNB] At the end of the season, I will have 12 months left, no rush to do anything, I am fine with the way things are.'' He added: Injuries are part of football, It is all about getting games under my belt. I know I have improved as a footballer because as you get older, you get wiser.[LNB] I really want to get fit and then if I can get games, I am sure I will find my feet in the Premier League. Right now I am just getting a game here and a game there.[LNB] Without doubt, centre midfield is my preferred role.[LNB] It is one of those when a manager asks you to play somewhere, you will do it just to play.[LNB] The manager knows where I prefer to play and that's what I wanted to hear.[LNB]
