John Carver refuses to comment on Jonas Gutierrez absence

Newcastle United boss John Carver has refused to confirm why Jonas Gutierrez was not part of his squad for their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Argentine was not even named among the substitutes at St James' Park, and the 31-year-old revealed on Twitter that his absence was not due to injury.

Gutierrez recently returned to the first-team fold after being given the all-clear from his battle with cancer last year, and started in a central midfield role in the Wear-Tyne derby.

When asked why Gutierrez was not in the squad, Carver told reporters: "I have my reasons for that and I don't want to talk about Gutierrez anymore."

Newcastle lost the match 3-1 to Mauricio Pochettino's men to endure their sixth defeat on the spin.