JONAS GUTIERREZ is determined to use the next two-and-a-half months to enhance his chances of securing a contract to extend his footballing career.

Gutierrez, who made his first Newcastle United appearance since October 2013 when he came off the substitutes’ bench during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, is due to become a free agent in the summer.

He has not given up hope of being offered a new deal at St James’ Park, but given that his place was in doubt before he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, there is little chance of the popular Argentinian being retained in the Magpies squad.

He discussed the possibility of a return to his homeland with Velez Sarsfield earlier this year, and while those talks broke off without an agreement, there is every chance of further discussions taking place once he becomes a free agent in June.

With family and friends in Argentina, the lure of a return to his home nation is understandable, but the 31-year-old has not ruled out remaining in England and is hoping to make as many appearances as possible in the remaining ten games in order to remind everyone of his enduring talents.

“I’m living day by day,” said Gutierrez, who, like the rest of his Newcastle team-mates, will enjoy a free weekend because of the FA Cup quarter-finals. “All I can do is work hard in training and work as hard as I can.

“I’m going to fight for my place – I always try to do that. I’m recovering, I’m healthy and I’m feeling strong. Now I have to wait for my opportunity and fight for that. I have three months to do my best now, and after that we’ll see what happens.”

Gutierrez received a rapturous reception when he replaced Ryan Taylor midway through the second half of Wednesday’s game, and his return to action provided a welcome positive note on an otherwise unsavoury evening that was dominated by the spitting battle between Papiss Cisse and Jonny Evans.

The versatile left-footer admits he was overwhelmed by the reaction of the Newcastle supporters, but claims to have been even more emotional at the previous home game against Aston Villa, when he was an unused substitute.

“That was the game that was like making my debut,” he said. “It was emotional at first when I came on against Manchester United, but after that I just started thinking about things on the pitch and that was all I was thinking about.

“I’m really pleased I was able to play, but I think it was good for me to have been in the squad against Aston Villa because it got me ready and feeling good when the chance came. I felt okay on Wednesday. I started at left-back and felt strong. I felt good about it.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s recruitment team have been warned to forget about a summer move for long-term target Alexandre Lacazette.

The Magpies have tracked Lacazette for more than two years, and have held a number of discussions with Lyon officials about the 23-year-old striker.

Graham Carr is known to be a strong admirer, and Lacazette appeared to open the door to a potential summer move when he spoke earlier this week about leaving if “the president asked him to”.

However, with his club due to move to a new ground ahead of next year’s European Championships, Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas insists there is no chance of Lacazette, who boasts 21 goals for the Ligue 1 leaders this season, going anywhere.

“It is impossible,” said Aulas. “He (Lacazette) will be with us at the Stade des Lumieres, and in the Champions League.”