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Guthrie set for summer talks

Image: Danny Guthrie: Midfielder has been linked with Aston Villa and will be a free agent in the summer

Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie will not hold discussions regarding a possible contract extension until the end of the season.

Midfielder waiting to see what happens on contract extension

Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie will not hold talks with the club regarding a possible contract extension until the end of the season. The former Liverpool, Southampton and Bolton player will be a free agent in the summer, but manager Alan Pardew said in January that he wanted the 24-year-old to stay at St James' Park. It was therefore thought that an agreement was imminent with Guthrie and that he was set to follow Fabricio Coloccini, Tim Krul and Ryan Taylor in signing a new deal. But, with Aston Villa reportedly waiting in the wings and prepared to offer more first-team opportunities, discussions will not take place until the summer. However, Guthrie told the Newcastle Chronicle: "I'm just scheduled for talks. Come the end of the season, my agent will be in touch with the club, or vice-versa. "We're just waiting to see what happens."

Big players

Guthrie, though, has indicated he is settled with Newcastle, who had silenced their doubters by challenging for a place in the UEFA Champions League before a recent slip. "Look at the way the club's gone this season - I'm really happy," he said. "On a personal note, my form's been really good. I've had a couple of injuries, but I've managed to stay fit for a while now and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season." Guthrie earned plaudits in January when playing regular first-team football due to the respective Africa Cup of Nations and suspension-enforced absences of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye. He has since returned to a role as a substitute, but he insists it is a squad effort as Newcastle, who have not won in four Premier League games, aim to consolidate sixth place. "The position we're in at the minute is down to the players and staff," he said. "We lost some big players, but the club brought in good players, and we've all pulled together. We want to finish it off now."

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