Jonas Gutierrez: 'Newcastle United have to finish in the top half'

Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez has stressed that the club "have to" finish in the top half of the Premier League table this season.

The Magpies currently occupy 11th place in the standings, trailing West Ham United in 10th by four points with nine matches remaining.

Newcastle's next five outings include four games against teams currently in the top half and a Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland, but Gutierrez has stressed that the team will have "no excuses" should they fail to break into the top 10.

This weekend the Argentine could be in line for his first start since successfully overcoming testicular cancer, with Newcastle struggling for numbers due to injuries and suspensions.

"Three years ago when we finished fifth, I played in many positions. I was playing in different positions because we had problems with injuries," he told The Journal.

"I'm here to help. I work hard and I want to enjoy. Always, I have to do the best for the team. We have to finish in the top 10. We don't have any excuses. We have hard games up to the finish of the season, but we have to take points and finish in the top 10.

"We don't have enough players at the moment. [Fabricio Coloccini] is banned for three games. But we have to keep together and work hard for the manager. The manager will tell us what we have to do. We have to do it right on the pitch. No excuses, we have to do it better."

Newcastle have won just one of their last six games ahead of this weekend's showdown with in-form Arsenal.