Jonas Gutierrez plays first match since beating testicular cancer as he captains Newcastle reserves in win over West Ham

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Jonas Gutierrez has made his return to the football field after beating testicular cancer.

The Newcastle midfielder skippered Peter Beardsley's reserves on Monday afternoon as they beat West Ham 4-1 at Whitley Park.

Gutierrez returned to Tyneside earlier this month having had chemotherapy in his native Argentina.

Jonas Gutierrez (centre) makes his first appearance for Newcastle since beating testicular cancer

Gutierrez pulls off a sliding tackle during Newcastle Under 21's game against West Ham on Monday

The Argentine midfielder attempts to intercept a pass at Whitley Park as a large group of fans watch on

Gutierrez has now successfully beaten cancer on two occasions after getting the all-clear in early November

The former Norwich loanee admits he is enjoying every training session and every day after returning

Gutierrez is included in Newcastle's Under 21 side to face West Ham on Monday afternoon

The 31-year-old midfielder – who last appeared for Newcastle 14 months ago - has successfully battled the illness on two occasions and says he is now only looking to the future.

'I am good, happy and enjoying every training and every day,' he said.

'I am just looking forward. You never know what can happen in football. The most important thing for me now is to be back and to try to get fit and to be ready if I have a chance of playing. The only thing I can do is do my best.'

Team-mates Fabricio Coloccini, Sammy Ameobi, Paul Dummett, Gabriel Obertan and Adam Armstrong were at Whitley Park to support Gutierrez.

Also in the stand was Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, just 24 hours after his side's victory in the Tyne-Wear derby. He was there to watch son Diego, the West Ham midfielder.

Gutierrez managed 87 minutes on his return to action as goals from Liam Gibson, Cal Roberts, Adam Campbell and Gael Bigirimana secured a comfortable victory for the Magpies.

Gutierrez winks at the camera as he leads out Newcastle's Under 21 side ahead of kick-off at Whitley Park

Former Mallorca midfielder Gutierrez brings the ball forward during the first half against West Ham

Gutierrez chases after the ball as West Ham midfielder Diego Poyet, son of Sunderland boss Gus, looks on

Captain Gutierrez shouts instructions to his team-mates during Newcastle's 4-1 win on Monday afternoon

Gutierrez raised money for Argentine cancer charity FUCA by running the Buenos Aries marathon in October

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet watching his son Diego playing for West Ham Under 21s against Newcastle

Poyet (back row, third from right) was in attendance the day after he masterminded a win over Newcastle

Gutierrez - who went on loan to Norwich last season - has been assured of a role in Newcastle's first-team by manager Alan Pardew.

'We're pleased to have him back,' Pardew said of the Argentina midfielder last week.

'Jonas is one of those people who livens up the training ground just with his personality, and obviously his illness has magnified that fact. He hasn't been around much but he's in pretty good shape and we are hoping that in two or three weeks he could be back in and around the first team.

'He's keen to earn his right to play but, like any player here, I have to give him an even keel in terms of access to the first team. It's now up to Jonas but it will certainly be emotional for us and for him when he returns, and we will look forward to it.'

Gutierrez last played a senior match in April this year during a loan spell with Norwich City

Ex-Argentina midfielder Gutierrez drives forward during his country's World Cup clash with Mexico in 2010