Gutierrez was handed an advanced role for last night's Carling Cup tie away to Coventry City, while his fellow winger James Milner started the game as an out and out striker.

Keegan has just one fit and available striker - Michael Owen - for Saturday night's game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins, Alan Smith and Andy Carroll all in the treatment room.

However, Keegan sees Gutierrez's versatility as one of his strengths, and he could be deployed again as a front man.

While Gutierrez's goal record at former club Real Mallorca suggests he is not a natural finisher, the 25-year-old is more than happy to make a nuisance of himself up front, as he did in last night's 3-2 extra time win at the Ricoh Arena.

Gutierrez said: "The striker role is different for me, but I want to play, and I'll play in any position.

"The Manager wanted me to play there, so of course I agreed. If it means doing a job for the team, then I'm more than happy to do so."

Newcastle's first-half football was arguably the best yet this season, with Keegan's side threatening to run away with the second round tie.

However, having gone into a 2-0 lead, they were pegged back by stoppage time goals at the end of each half, with Owen winning the game in extra time.

Gutierrez added: "It was a very good victory for them, although we would have preferred not to have conceded that goal in the last minute.

"We didn't want extra time, because our fans had travelled so far, but we had to do it.

"It was great to play in an English cup tie for me, and it was obvious how important it was to our fans. We were happy to show them we feel the same by getting the result."