Danny Guthrie expects to keep his place for Newcastle against Wolves next week despite the return of Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote.
Midfield options for Newcastle
Danny Guthrie expects to keep his place for Newcastle against Wolves next week despite the return of Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote.
The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer but has shone in the absence of the erstwhile first-choice midfield pairing.
Cabaye has missed the last three games after seeing red at Brighton, while Tiote has not figured in the previous seven because of Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.
But their availability presents a conundrum for manager Alan Pardew and Guthrie suggests the decision could impact on where he plays his football next season.
"It'll be interesting to see what the manager decides to go with," Guthrie told the
Newcastle Journal.
"Obviously on my current form I'd expect to be playing.
"How much football I play between now and the end of the season will possibly be a factor, but I'll get the season out of the way and I'll have an open mind at the end of the season."
No doubts
Despite the praise that came the way of Cabaye and Tiote in 2011, Guthrie never doubted his own ability.
"It hasn't surprised me having a run in the team," he added. "The main thing has been to stay fit because I've had a lot of injury problems over the past couple of years.
"I've managed to stay fit most of the season and played very well so if we're going on form I'd expect to play.
"We've already seen this season the manager has kept faith in players that have played well and hopefully he'll do the same thing with me.
"That's all any player can do - and hope.
"The manager has got choices to make, which has been a bonus for us this season, because the competition for places has been part of our recipe for success."
