Newcastle boss Alan Pardew insists Jonas Gutierrez does have a future at St James' Park. The 31-year-old, who was given the all-clear from testicular cancer last month, recently returned to training but has not played for the club since October 2013.
But ahead of Newcastle's Capital One Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on Wednesday, Pardew insisted the Argentine has an equal shot at the first-team along with the rest of the squad.
"We're pleased to have him back," Pardew said. "Jonas is one of those people who livens up the training ground just with his personality, and obviously his illness has magnified that fact.
"He hasn't been around much but he's in pretty good shape and we are hoping that in two or three weeks he could be back in and around the first-team.
"He's keen to earn his right to play but, like any player here, I have to give him an even keel in terms of access to the first team. It's now up to Jonas but it will certainly be emotional for us and for him when he returns, and we will look forward to it."
