Football: Newcastle release Gutierrez and Taylor

Newcastle have released Jonas Gutierrez less than a week after the Argentine helped the club avoid relegation, the Premier League team revealed on Friday. Gutierrez started the season battling to recover from testicular cancer and ended it by inspiring the Magpies to a vital 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of the season. The 31-year-old midfielder laid on one goal and scored the other in what has proved to be his last match for Newcastle, who have confirmed the Argentina international and defender Ryan Taylor are to leave when their contracts expire on June 30. Gutierrez, who scored 12 goals in 205 Newcastle appearances after joining from Mallorca in July 2008, had a testicle removed two years ago but the cancer returned last year. He underwent chemotherapy and won his fight, making an emotional return against Manchester United on March 4. In a statement announcing the departures, managing director Lee Charnley said: "Ryan and Jonas have both contributed significantly to Newcastle United over a number of years and on behalf of the board, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to both players for the excellent service they have given the club. "It was a great pleasure to see Ryan and Jonas come back into the team in recent weeks and compete at the highest level after the injury and illness battles they have had to overcome. "To come through those difficult periods with such strength and dignity will have given hope and inspiration to many and it is clear that our supporters have a deep connection and affection for both players, as does everyone associated with the club."