- Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes seen in training
- Magpies captain has missed the last five Premier League fixtures
- Crystal Palace host under-pressure Eddie Howe this weekend
Newcastle United have released training footage showing captain Bruno Guimaraes being put through his paces ahead of this weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe takes his side to Selhurst Park in desperate need of a response following the 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Sunderland last time out. The Black Cats completed an unforgiveable comeback in front of a home St James’ Park crowd.
Newcastle United supporters have had a long three weeks to stew on that defeat with questions being asked about the future of Howe on Tyneside. The manager was not helped by an 8-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League either.
Newcastle United release Bruno Guimaraes injury update
Howe has been managing without several key players, who are sidelined due to injury. One of those is Guimaraes.
The Brazil international is the engine room in the Magpies midfield and runs the show for the former AFC Bournemouth head coach. Guimaraes has missed the previous five league outings, as well as the Champions League games against Qarabag and Barcelona.
Guimaraes picked up the problem in the clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the start of February with worries growing over a hamstring injury – something the player had not suffered before. That was then confirmed with Howe predicting a couple of months away from action in mid February.
A return following the lengthy international break was then predicted, and that looks to be on track. On Tuesday evening, Newcastle United shared a clip showing Guimaraes in training.
The 28-year-old was in high spirits as he celebrated a ‘beautiful day in Geordieland’, singing and chatting with staff members as he completed passing drills.
Guimaraes targets return against Crystal Palace
It will feed hope that Guimaraes can feature against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. Reacting to the clip on social media, one fan wrote: “The return of the magician is near.”
Another said: “Your passion for the Geordieland is unreal.”
One Instagram user wrote: “Him and [Lewis] Hall might be the only two players who will give everything in the next seven games for us to finish in the Euro places. Literally build the next season around those two.”
Eddie Howe praises ‘very special’ Guimaraes
There’s no doubting the impact that Guimaraes can have on his return for Newcastle United. Speaking about the player following the win over Fulham earlier this season, Howe said: “Bruno, I’ve spoken about him many times, but the player and the person together is a very special thing. His will to win, his drive, his determination to be successful is there for us every day.
“His professionalism to prepare himself to play is of the highest level and I always think you get your rewards if you do that and 90th minute, he’s still going.
“How he’s ended up in the box at that moment, I’d love to see back because there must have been a moment where he’s had to put the burners on and foresee what’s going to happen.
“But that’s down to his motivation, so he’s a very special player and as I say, a special person and we’re lucky to have him.”
In other news, Crystal Palace dealt manager hunt blow ahead of Newcastle United clash.
