The former Chelsea and FC Portor winger had to play through the pain barrier last season to ensure the Magpies regained their top-flight status.
The Ghana international also added that his long-term injury had plagued his career for the last three years.
He told nufc.co.uk: "I thought to myself, we came to the Premier League to stay there and I kept playing through the pain.
''I cannot leave my colleagues suffering like that so I have to at least try.
"What I thought in my mind is that I want the team to be secured in the Premier League and then I will have time to do the recovery.
"I cannot do the recovery thinking of playing in the Championship, I have to make sure I do everything for the team."
Atsu missed Newcastle's final six games of the season as he underwent surgery.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS