Newcastle Utd Res 0 Aston Villa Res
Oct 6 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
DANNY Guthrie is hoping to be back in first-team action straight after the international break following a long and difficult recovery from the most frustrating injury of his career.
Guthrie played the full 90 minutes for Newcastle’s reserves against Aston Villa yesterday, with right-back Danny Simpson also lasting for 75 minutes as they took a big leap forward in their respective rehabilitations.
The game itself was a drab goalless draw with excitement in short supply, but the quietly efficient performances of Guthrie and Simpson will have pleased the watching Chris Hughton.
Guthrie (pictured right) picked up a knee ligament injury in training on the eve of the new season, while Simpson missed all of the club’s pre-season preparations following surgery on a long-standing ankle problem back in May.
And it is Guthrie who is pushing hardest for a recall when the Magpies take on Wigan in ten days time. He admitted he struggled to deal with such a long-term injury just two days before the season was due to start.
He said: “I felt pretty good out there and it was good to get the full 90 minutes under my belt. I wanted to stay out there for the whole game and show the manager I’m match fit. It’s been difficult to watch the team, especially after working so hard last year to get the club back into the Premier League.
“To get such a bad injury was hard to take, but thankfully I’m back now.
