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Pardew: "We're Looking Forward To Seeing Jonas"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew believes Jonas Gutierrez could be back training on Tyneside by the start of the new calendar year
By Steven Back
Alan Pardew believes Jonas Gutierrez could be back training on Tyneside by the start of the new calendar year, after the Argentine was given the all-clear from his battle with testicular cancer.
Gutierrez announced earlier this week that he has been discharged from hospital in his homeland, and has since been pictured improving his fitness levels with former club Velez Sarsfield.
Like everyone at St. James' Park, Pardew was delighted to hear the news about the 31-year-old midfielder and is looking forward to welcoming him back to the North-East.
"It's massive news for the squad because he (Jonas) is a much-loved figure here at the Club," said the manager, ahead of Sunday's trip to West Bromwich Albion.
"To get the all-clear is fantastic and we had a response from his surgeon that in about a month's time he should be able to cope with professional training.
"But we are not rushing him in any shape or form. We are letting Jonas have some time because it is an illness that you do need a lot of recovery time.
"However, he is in great shape, Colo (Fabricio Coloccini) tells me he's in great form and we are looking forward to seeing him."