Newcastle United FC

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Joe welcomes Jonas boost

09 Oct 2008 - 10:07:58

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Interim Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear is looking forward to having Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez back in contention for a starting spot after the international break.

The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the end of August by a shoulder injury, but is set to resume training with the Magpies squad later this week.

Kinnear told the Northern Echo: "Gutierrez should have his first training session on Friday and the good thing is I'm going to have ten days to work with him before the next game.

"I'm not having to rush him back into the first team and he will benefit from the training he is able to do during this international break.

"That is going to help the player as well because it will give him confidence.

"It's one thing being fit enough to play, but you need that time in training as well as it will get him back into the fray in terms of taking a tackle and being dumped on his backside.

"I've spoken to Chris Hughton and he has told me he is a tremendous athlete, he is extremely fit and he is a hard worker for the team."

Gutierrez moved to Tyneside from Real Mallorca in the summer and impressed in his first four outings to date for Newcastle.