JONAS GUTIERREZ has already won the biggest battle of his life and now the South American midfielder is desperate to end his comeback year by keeping Newcastle United in the Premier League.

It is just over two months since Gutierrez played his first game for the Magpies since recovering from testicular cancer and nine appearances later he is braced for what could be his final game for the club this weekend.

The 31-year-old, signed six years ago, is out of contract this summer and is determined to ensure his final season with Newcastle does not end in the same way his first did on Tyneside – in relegation.

Gutierrez readily admits he is yet to reach top gear after recovering from the life-threatening illness which kept him out of action for almost a year of treatment.

He hopes, though, to go out on a high by earning the result against West Ham United this Sunday which keeps Newcastle in the top-flight.

“I know this could be my last game at St James’ Park,” said Gutierrez. “Since I have recovered from my illness, I have always said the same thing. I want to help the team and work hard.

“I’ve been improving all the weeks since I arrived. I feel stronger and feel I can play 90 minutes.

“Two months ago, I didn't know I was going to be able to (play). I feel strong. I think the same – help the team. Most of all, we have to do it for the fans and the city, because they don't deserve to be in this situation.

“We are the players, and we have to take responsibility. It's always our responsibility. We are the players that are on the pitch. We have to do it for the fans and the city.

"This is not a good thing for Newcastle United. This can't happen – Newcastle can't wait until the last week to see if we stay up or not in the Premier League. We have to do it for fans and the city.”

Ironically Newcastle will face West Ham on May 24; the same date as Alan Shearer’s attempts to keep his beloved club in the Premier League came to an end in 2009.

Gutierrez was at Villa Park that day as an unused substitute when a 1-0 defeat led to relegation. There is no way he wants to endure a repeat against another team wearing claret and blue six years later.

He said: "The good thing is that we play at home and it's in our hands. A few players here know what it's like to go down, and it's not nice for the city, the players and the club. We need to move forward to the next game, and do it for the fans and the city.”

But he knows that if Newcastle are to avoid a tenth defeat from 11 games then they have to come up with a vastly improved display to that which lost at QPR, perhaps even better than the one which earned a point against West Brom ten days ago.

Gutierrez said: "It's really frustrating. I'm really upset about the result and the situation. We can't allow that to happen. That's not acceptable.

“We're in a situation where we need to be strong. We scored and we were winning, and we had to take care of the ball and be patient and not start running everywhere and leave spaces. In this type of football, if you leave spaces, you are going to concede.”

Newcastle’s players had yesterday off but will be back in this morning to start the build-up towards this Sunday’s crucial fixture, which has been selected to be shown live by Sky Sports because of its significance.

There are some Newcastle fans who have criticised head coach John Carver for taking part in a golf day yesterday – despite the fact he was raising money for charity on a day off six days before the game.

Carver was at Close House, Northumberland, with other members of his backroom team as a long list of high-profile names played in the Have a Heart Celebrity Trophy aimed at helping the Children’s Heart United Fund at the Freeman Hospital, which Carver has long been a supporter of.

Criticism has been hurled his way on social media for his actions. But a spokesman for CHUF said: “John is honouring a long-standing promise to support our charity today. We are hugely grateful to him for his continued support.”