- Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe faces the press
- Magpies captain Bruno Guimaraes has missed last six Premier League fixtures with injury
- Brazil international ‘desperate’ to play against AFC Bournemouth
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided an update on the injury to club captain Bruno Guimaraes ahead of facing AFC Bournemouth this weekend.
The Cherries make the long trip up to St James’ Park as Howe welcomes his former side. The Magpies head coach is under serious pressure following back-to-back defeats against Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
Newcastle threw away a lead in both of those matches and the side’s character has come under fire. Not having engine room Guimaraes in the centre of the park has been a huge miss.
Eddie Howe provides Bruno Guimaraes update
Guimaraes has been sidelined for the previous six league fixtures, as well as Champions League games against Qarabag and Barcelona. However, there is the chance he can feature against Bournemouth.
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.
A return following the lengthy international break was then predicted, and had looked to be on track when the club shared footage of him in training prior to facing Crystal Palace. Howe then admitted the visit to Selhurst Park would come too soon.
Newcastle United need Guimaraes influence against Bournemouth
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, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace locked in £40m transfer battle for ‘colossus’ star.
