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John Carver unaware of Jonas Gutierrez contract situation

John Carver revealed that he will pick his Newcastle team regardless of reputations, wages or contractual situations.

Carver's promise comes as midfielder Jonas Gutierrez approaches the point at which he believes a handful of appearances following his recovery from testicular cancer would automatically trigger the offer of a new contract.

Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor and Sammy Ameobi are among a group of players whose current deals are due to expire at the end of the season, but the head coach insists none of that is his concern as he attempts to arrest an alarming slump on the pitch.

Carver said: "I've got to be honest, I genuinely don't know about anybody's contract. All I've been doing is working on the team and trying to put the best 11 players on the pitch that I can.

"I'm unaware of it [the Gutierrez clause]. But I will be picking the team between now and the end of the season with that not in my mind, because I don't know what people earn and what their contracts are.

"I pick a team on what I think will be the best team on the pitch. Sometimes you can get distracted. I don't know anybody's salaries - nothing. I like it that way as I make my judgement on the week at the training ground.

"Everybody's playing for their future. There have been no discussions [about contracts]. The discussions have been about the need to bring in players -- we know that. I haven't gone into any discussions with regard to this group of players, because we have seven games left."

Gutierrez, who joined the club from Real Mallorca in July 2008, claimed following his return from his battle with cancer that "seven or eight" more senior appearances would mean his stay on Tyneside would be extended, and it is understood that seven more starts -- there are seven games remaining this season -- would be required. Newcastle have not commented on the matter -- they never do on contractual situations -- but they have not denied it either.

Since being given the all-clear by medics, the 31-year-old Argentina international has spoken of his hurt at being told to find another club following surgery.

What is not in any doubt, however, is the warmth with which the midfielder has been welcomed back. The club's fans provided him with a rapturous ovation when he was introduced as a second-half substitute during the 1-0 home defeat by Manchester United on March 4, and that joy extended to the dressing room too.

Carver said: "I don't think he ever thought he'd be playing as soon as he has done. I don't even think he thought he'd play again when you have an illness like Jonas had.

"It must have been a proud moment for him, and for us as well, it was great to see him back on [the pitch]. Everybody's delighted with how he's come back in and how he's progressed. He's fought and worked hard and done all the right things."

Gutierrez made his first start for the club since August 2013 in Sunday's 1-0 derby defeat at Sunderland, and will hope to retain his place for Monday's trip to Liverpool.

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