Newcastle United: The future of Jesús Gámez at the club

The Spanish international will likely not be with Newcastle United much longer.

Newcastle United have eight games left in the 2017-18 season, and will want to earn as many points as possible during that stretch to avoid relegation. A multitude of different players have contributed this year, but one defender does not seem to have much of a future on Tyneside at this moment.

Jesús Gámez signed with the Magpies in the summer of 2016, and has displayed an excellent work ethic to go along with skill on the pitch. But injuries have truly under-mined this season for him, and it would ultimately be very surprising for him to stay on beyond the current term.

The 32-year-old has thus far made two Premier League appearances, with one of them being a start against Swansea City in September.

A back injury has kept the defender out for the past several months, and there is no guarantee that Gámez will be available again.

Newcastle are his first club outside of his native Spain, where he spent the majority of his career with Málaga CF.

A positive presence

His addition makes sense in many ways, as he represents the type of player that most sides would love to have. Incredibly versatile on the back-line, Gámez can play at full-back on either side of the pitch.

Veteran experience and leadership come through as well. However, after only a handful of appearances in his first season, 2017-18 is not going according to plan for him.

Having an individual who can fill different roles within the team and can be counted upon are important qualities for a manager, although every transfer has various levels of success.

Next: Newcastle United's all-time top ten defenders

Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez were hoping for more from Jesús Gámez. Unfortunately, injuries have kept him from producing as desired.