Jonas Gutierrez set to move into back four to help Newcastle against Arsenal

Jonas Gutierrez is prepared to play in any position to help his depleted Newcastle team in Saturday’s home match against Arsenal.

A top-10 finish is the target for the 31-year-old Argentinian, who has been used as a substitute in Newcastle’s last two games following his return to action after a successful battle against testicular cancer.

And the wing-back is prepared to help manager John Carver navigate the club’s suspension and injury nightmare by slotting into any spare space on the park

"Three years ago when we finished fifth, I played in many positions. I was playing in different positions because we had problems with injuries,” Gutierrez told The Journal.

"I'm here to help. I work hard and I want to enjoy. Always, I have to do the best for the team. We have to finish in the top 10. We don't have any excuses.

"We have hard games up to the finish of the season, but we have to take points and finish in the top 10."

Gutierrez played as a full-back for his country at the 2010 World Cup finals, and that ability could come in useful during the remaining weeks of the season.

He could be called upon to move into a new-look back four, with captain Fabricio Coloccini set to miss the next three games due to suspension, and Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett out for the rest of the season through injury, 

That leaves Mike Williamson as Newcastle’s only recognised senior central defender and a possible move inside for right-back Daryl Janmaat.

Newcastle have won only one of their last six games, scoring just three goals in the process, while leading marksman Papiss Cisse is just one game into his seven-match suspension. 

"We don't have enough players at the moment,” Gutierrez said. “Colo is banned for three games. But we have to keep together and work hard for the manager.

"The manager will tell us what we have to do. We have to do it right on the pitch. No excuses, we have to do it better."