Cancer-survivor Jonas Gutierrez made an emotional return to St James ' Park during Wednesday night 's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United . The 31-year-old has twice beaten testicular cancer and only returned to the club after being given the all-clear following chemotherapy in November . He has since been building fitness with the Under-21s and was named on the bench for the first time last weekend . Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez ( centre ) has defied the odds to battle back from testicular cancer . Gutierrez replaced Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor in the second-half to the delight of the home fans . But Gutierrez finally made his first appearance in black and white in 17 months when he emerged midway through the second half as replacement for Ryan Taylor . St James ' stood as one to welcome the fan favourite and close friend Fabricio Coloccini immediately handed the captain 's armband to his Argentinian comrade . Gutierrez was booked soon after for a chop on Adnan Januzaj , but looked sharp with his every touch cheered by the Toon Army . And Newcastle head coach John Carver praised the substitute 's impact , 'Maybe I should have started him ! ' 'The crowd came alive . He 's worked tirelessly and it showed what the fans think of him – the roof nearly came off the stadium . ' Newcastle , though , were beaten by Ashley Young 's close-range strike in the dying seconds of what had been a feisty encounter . The 31-year-old received a standing ovation from the St James ' Park crowd in an emotional display . Gutierrez joined Newcastle in 2008 from Mallorca after he was signed by former Magpies boss Kevin Keegan . Despite the heartwarming return of the fan favourite , however , Newcastle slumped to a 1-0 defeat . After the game Gutierrez was embraced by Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea ( right )
Jonas Gutierrez has battled back from testicular cancer . He was given the all-clear following chemotherapy in November . The winger returned to first-team action against Manchester United . Gutierrez joined Mallorca from Newcastle in 2008 . He has clocked nearly 200 appearances for the club .