Gutierrez backed by Maradona

Winger happy to stay at Newcastle

Last updated: 22nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gutierrez backed by Maradona

Gutierrez: Happy at Newcastle

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Jonas Gutierrez has no plans to leave Newcastle after being assured by Diego Maradona that playing in the Championship will not damage his World Cup hopes.

The winger was tipped to leave St James' Park over the summer after the Magpies suffered relegation from the Premier League.

He was worried that playing in the second tier of English football would affect his chances of being selected in the Argentina squad at next summer's tournament.

However, talks with his national team manager put his mind at rest and he is now happy to stay with Newcastle.

"I told him of my concerns about relegation costing me my international place, but the boss reassured me that if I was playing regularly at Newcastle and doing a job he didn't care about me being out of the Premier League," Gutierrez told the Evening Chronicle.

Special club

"That meant everything and swept away all my fears.

"If I could stay in the Argentina squad in World Cup year I was happy to have another go at Newcastle."

Speculation has resurfaced over a possible January exit but Gutierrez insists he is enjoying life at Newcastle and targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.

"Of course my agent has been in touch asking me what I want him to do with the transfer window about to reopen," he explained.

"But I've told him to do nothing. I am happy at Newcastle and I want to stay. I love it here and my family love it here.

"We have something very special at this club, and while I want to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, I know I can do it with Newcastle."