Kinnear - Guthrie can fill void

Magpies boss unfazed by Barton blow

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 18th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kinnear - Guthrie can fill void

Guthrie: Talented youngster

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Joe Kinnear believes the loss of Joey Barton at Newcastle will be softened by the return of Danny Guthrie.

Barton is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering medial ligament damage during the Magpies' 2-2 draw with Wigan on Saturday.

His absence means Kinnear is now lacking a tenacious force in the heart of his midfield, although Guthrie is expected to fill the void.

The summer signing from Liverpool has started Newcastle's last three games on the bench, but his manager is tipping the youngster to rediscover the kind of form he displayed during the opening quarter of the season.

Unlucky

"Danny was very unlucky to drop down to the bench when Joey returned," Kinnear told the club's official website.

"But now Joey is injured he will come in and I'm very happy about that because he's a great young player.

"He's box-to-box, very energetic and a great passer of the ball.

"Of course, it's a blow to lose Joey, but this gives Danny a chance and I'm sure he'll pick up where he left off."