Newcastle's players take inspiration from Gutierrez's cancer battle

Cisse will miss the next seven matches after pleading guilty to a spitting offence during last week’s home defeat to Manchester United, with his absence representing a major blow to a Magpies side that has been short of attacking firepower for much of the campaign.

However, if any of John Carver’s players are feeling sorry for themselves as they look ahead to a run of games that includes matches against Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, not to mention the small matter of a Wear-Tyne derby with Sunderland, they need only look across the dressing room to Gutierrez for inspiration.

The Argentinian made an emotional return to action after a successful battle against testicular cancer last week, with his bravery and determination in the face of considerable adversity providing a shining example for others to follow.

Gutierrez’s team-mates are full of admiration for his spirit and resolve over the last 18 months, and his return to action has helped raised the morale of a dressing room that was rocked by Alan Pardew’s sudden departure in late December.

“We’re all full of admiration for the way he’s come back,” said Mehdi Abeid. “I’m really glad that his health is now good and he’s smiling.

“That’s life – sometimes it’s hard, and sometimes it’s difficult, but he has come back stronger from everything that he’s been through.

“I’m sure it was a very difficult time for him, but I know how much it meant to him to be able to come back to the stadium and play for Newcastle.”

Abeid has also made a return to Tyneside this season after spending the whole of the last campaign on loan at Greek side Panathinaikos.

Last summer, it looked as though the 22-year-old would be on his way out of St James’ Park, but he made a positive impression when he was promoted to the starting line-up in October and November, and while a three-month injury lay-off checked his momentum, he has returned to prove he is an able replacement for Cheick Tiote, who could well be moving elsewhere in the close season.

“I never lost the confidence I could play for Newcastle,” said Abeid. “But I didn’t know what was going to happen with the club. I’m glad that I stayed and have played many games for Newcastle, because I like this club.

“I feel much better after my loan in Greece. I feel more confident, and this is just the benefit of the work I’ve been doing for so long now. I’m happy with what I’m doing this season.”

Meanwhile, the Newcastle board have defended the club’s policy regarding the cup competitions, and insisted they did not influence Carver’s selection for January’s FA Cup third-round defeat at Leicester City.

With the board having previously admitted the cups were “not a priority”, eyebrows were raised when a host of first-team players were absent from the Newcastle side that suffered a 1-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium.

However, aside from Ayoze Perez, who was rested, the Magpies hierarchy are adamant that every other absentee was injured.

The notes of a recent fans’ forum were released at the weekend, and said: “The board explained that a number of clubs had voiced concern at a Premier League shareholders’ meeting about the scheduling of the FA Cup and the number of games during the Christmas period.

“This was something that the Premier League acknowledged, but it was unavoidable. That said, it was felt that the team selected for the third round tie at Leicester - which was the strongest available with the exception of Ayoze Perez (rested) - was put out with the firm intention of winning the game, and had the quality to do so.

“The board contested the idea that the club goes out to lose any match. It was suggested that Newcastle United’s openness in relation to the Premier League being its priority was unlike other Premier League clubs, who operate in much the same way without communicating that view to supporters.”

Responding to another question, the board also challenged the perception that an incoming head coach would not have an influence over signings.

The minutes said: “The reality is that a head coach would have an opinion and an input into transfers, just not the final say.

“The board and chief scout would sit with the head coach with a number of options in line with the head coach’s template for the team. The initial scouting and shortlisting would be done by the chief scout, while the board would take care of financial elements to ensure the head coach could concentrate on her duties.

“The board explained this sort of system happens in a lot of football clubs across the world. The board feels this structure enables individuals to focus on their respective strengths.”