- Eddie Howe holds press conference ahead of Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United boss delivers injury update on Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes
- Magpies face Eagles on Sunday at 2 pm
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed two injury blows ahead of this weekend’s clash against Crystal Palace at St James’ Park, with updates on Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes.
The Magpies return to Premier League action for the first time in three weeks, following the bitter 2-1 defeat to Sunderland prior to the break. Howe’s side now look to fight for Champions League or Europa League qualification but have their work cut out.
Newcastle United sit 12th in the Premier League and on 42 points, but are just four points off Brentford and the European qualification places.
Eddie Howe press conference ahead of Crystal Palace
Howe had been managing without key players prior to the break and it had been hoped that the likes of Schar and Guimaraes would be back in the squad when Crystal Palace arrive on Tyneside.
Schar hasn’t featured in the league since early January, last playing in the 4-3 victory over Leeds United. The 34-year-old had successful surgery on a broken foot at the time and was set to be out for three months.
Speaking on Friday morning, Howe provided an update and confirmed that the centre-back had endured a setback. He said: “Fabian Schär suffered an infection in his foot so he is in hospital having a minor surgery on that so he will be out for about a month.”
It had also been hoped that Guimaraes would be back in the squad and training footage of the Brazil international this week fanned those flames of a potential return. However, Newcastle United will be without their captain this weekend, and potentially against AFC Bournemouth too.
Howe update on Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes
Howe said: “Bruno suffered on his return from Brazil with illness, that has delayed his return. Doubt over this game and the Bournemouth game. Maybe he will be back for Arsenal.”
Crystal Palace arrive at St James’ Park off the back of a 3-0 Europa Conference League victory over Fiorentina on Thursday night. Oliver Glasner’s side will not have as fresh legs as the host and Howe had relished the three week break to work with his players.
He said: “The break came at a good time for us. At the time we wanted to play as soon as we could but it gave the players a chance to detach.
“For us that were here there was a group of six we trained with the staff, we were focused on reflection, analysis and we have gone into an analytical mode to try and get back into our best form. Criticism is part of the deal when you lose big games like that.”
In other news, Newcastle United join Liverpool in race to sign ‘next Riccardo Calafiori’.
