Winger Jonas Gutierrez reveals double dream

Sep 30 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

JONÁS Gutiérrez says that helping Newcastle United get back into the Premier League is equally as important as keeping his flickering World Cup dream alive.

Gutiérrez returns to the Newcastle side against Queen’s Park Rangers tonight after a month out with a muscle injury to resume the pursuit of a personal double target – to help fire United back into the top flight at the first time of asking before ending the season in South Africa with his country.

And while United have made a near flawless start to their Championship campaign, Gutiérrez’s hopes of playing in his first World Cup finals are hanging by a thread after Argentina suffered back-to-back defeats in the former Real Mallorca man’s absence. It makes Gutiérrez’s next four games for club and country crucially important – and he believes that there is nothing to choose between his twin aims for a vital season.

“They are both so big for me. I have to say they are so important to me. Therefore they are at the same level, I want them both so badly,” he said.

“Of course, to get back in the Premier League is the most important thing throughout the season but to play in the national team at a World Cup has been my dream throughout my life. How can I say one is more important? It is very important that I achieve both.

“The World Cup dream has always been with me. Next summer I want to be looking forward to the World Cup and Newcastle games against Manchester United and Liverpool again. That is perfect. If Argentina do not qualify for the World Cup, I would have to take my bags and move to another country because we could not play again at home.

“It is a very big period for me. At this moment, I am only thinking of my next games for Newcastle but after Saturday, I will then focus on Argentina. We have Peru first at home and then travel to Uruguay away.

“We need six points to qualify and four will probably put us in the play-offs. It is going to be hard, but I think we have incredible players and I am very confident that if we play well, we will do enough.”

The first priority for Gutiérrez is getting back into a United team that has continued to flourish in his absence and now boasts a four-point lead at the summit of the Championship.