Gutierrez: Vital week ahead for Newcastle

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez said the coming week is the club’s ‘most important for many years’.

Alan Pardew’s men are currently fifth in the Premier League, only outside the Champions League places on goal difference.

The Magpies have a tough run-in, with trips to Chelsea and Everton either side of a home clash with title-chasing Manchester City, but the winger still feels that his side are well-placed.

“We’re still in a good position and this is a great opportunity,” Gutierrez told the Evening Chronicle.

“We have to stay focused as it’s another big week. This is the most important week at Newcastle for many years.

“We’re relaxed and we are just going about it the way we have all season.”

As the Premier League season enters the home straight, the Magpies have received a timely boost with the return of some of their injured squad members.

Both Sylvain Marveaux and Danny Guthrie are hoping to be back for the trip to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, and Gutierrez said returning players could play a big part in the end of season run-in.

He continued: “We’ve never looked too far ahead. The good thing for us is that we have a lot of players coming back from injury. The more players we have to pick from the better.

“With three games in eight days we need as many as possible.”