- Bruno Guimaraes could feature for Newcastle United this weekend
- Eddie Howe in desperate need of a result against AFC Bournemouth
- Magpies fans urge caution over Guimaraes return
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been urged to act with caution by fans following news that captain Bruno Guimaraes could make his long-awaited return against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.
The Brazil international has missed the previous six Premier League fixtures, as well as Champions League matches against Qarabag and Barcelona, and has been a huge miss. The Magpies have lacked character and Guimaraes brings plenty of that.
It had been hoped that the midfielder would return to the side following the three-week international break, with training footage shared by the club in the run up to the Crystal Palace match. However, that fixture came too soon for the player.
Eddie Howe provides Bruno Guimaraes injury update
Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Howe said: “There is a chance he can be fit for the weekend. We have seen him in training, he is pushing hard to be involved, he is desperate to help the team, desperate to be involved. So, there is a possibility, I will make a decision off the back of training today.”
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.
Hamstring injuries can be notoriously problematic for football players and can prove to be a recurring issue if not handled properly. That’s perhaps why, despite the potential injury boost, Newcastle fans have not been overjoyed with the quote.
Newcastle United fans urge Eddie Howe to have caution
Taking to social media platform X, one user said: “Bruno hasn’t played for 3 months. You do not put him straight in against Bournemouth, he would get rings run round him. It takes him a month to get going.”
Another said: “What’s the point just rest him until he is fully fit not worth the risk.”
After taking on Bournemouth this weekend, Newcastle face a tricky trip to title chasing Arsenal. One user admitted that the visit to London should be the priority: “He needs to be fit against Arsenal.”
There were others focusing on the imminent boost of having their captain back with Guimaraes expected to ‘level up the team instantly’. Another said it was the ‘only positive at the minute’ on Tyneside.
One X user added: “That’s our Bruno all over! This time out will have been torture for him. Here’s hoping we see our captain tomorrow.”
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