Jonas Gutierrez: 'New debut' delight for Newcastle winger

Jonas Gutierrez replaced Ryan Taylor for his first appearance since April 2014

Jonas Gutierrez has described his first-team return for Newcastle United after being given the all-clear from cancer as like "a new debut".

Argentina international Gutierrez made his first Magpies appearance since October 2013 as a substitute against Manchester United on Wednesday.

The midfielder, 31, had surgery in September for testicular cancer.

"My first Newcastle game was against Man United and it was like a new debut for me," Gutierrez told BBC Newcastle.

"I'm really pleased to be back. I want to work hard, look for my moment, do it right and improve.

"From now until the end of the season I want to play as many minutes as I can."

Former Atletico Madrid team-mates Gutierrez and De Gea embraced after Wednesday's game

Wednesday's outing takes Gutierrez, who had been playing for the reserves to regain fitness, to 196 Magpies appearance in seven years at the club.

Newcastle head coach John Carver had named the former Atletico Madrid winger on the bench for last weekend's win against Aston Villa, prompting a warm reception from the 51,573 crowd.

However, that experience was nothing compared with actually returning to match action, particularly as it looked as though his Newcastle career was over before the cancer diagnosis last year.

"It was really emotional and really exciting," added Gutierrez.

"I was so emotional when I put my feet on the pitch. I've travelled a long way to get to this point and I really enjoyed it.

"I thank the fans for their support and also my team-mates. It was a great moment for me."