Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez says he will be happy to play as a full-back if it helps his side in their battle to finish in the top half of the table this season.
Since arriving on Tyneside in 2008, the Argentine has established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest dribblers. But due to Yohan Cabaye’s persistent groin problem and Cheick Tiote’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations, has proved his versatility in recent months by starring in the middle of midfield.
However, following injuries to both Mathieu Debuchy and Massadio Haidara, the 29-year-old was forced to play the majority of Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 defeat at Wigan as an emergency defender – impressing pundits as well as punters who bet on premier league games.
It wasn’t the first time that Gutierrez has filled in at the back though, as he previously started for Argentina at right-back during the 2010 World Cup.
However, he looked uncomfortable throughout the tournament and despite being played in such an unfamiliar role, he came in for plenty of criticism for his poor positioning and lack of awareness.
Despite that experience, the former Mallorca player says he won’t be fazed by featuring in defence and is happy to play as a left-back if that’s what’s needed by his team in their bid to rise up the table.
“I don’t have any problem at all playing left-back in the future,” he told football betting news reporters. “It is not the position I normally play in but with injuries it might be somewhere that I have to play.
“I did my best for the team and will try and improve my performances if I get another chance there. Everyone has to be ready to play anywhere this year. It is a crazy season for injuries.”
