Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie is not too worried about his absence from the England Under-21 side as long as he is doing well on Tyneside.

Guthrie, a £2.5million summer signing from Liverpool - and perhaps the only one attributable to former boss Kevin Keegan - has made a good start to his career at St James' Park, and has attracted the attention of England Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce.

He is not in the squad for Friday night's play-off first leg against Wales, and although Pearce has hinted he could make the party for the finals if his side qualifies, he is concentrating on his club commitments.

Guthrie said: "Like any young player, I want to get into the squad, and if I can maintain my performance levels for Newcastle, then I might get a chance.

"It is an aim, but I am not too worried about it at the moment. If Stuart Pearce picks me, he picks me, but if not, I will just concentrate on playing for Newcastle.

"Newcastle's the most important thing for me. I want to play for the team here more than anything, and if I get picked for the Under-21s, that will be an added bonus."