Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is awaiting clarity on the fitness of his captain Bruno Guimaraes ahead of a crucial Premier League encounter with Aston Villa, with the Brazilian midfielder’s participation still hanging in the balance due to an ankle injury.
Guimaraes, an indispensable figure for the Magpies, was forced off late in the first half of Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven after sustaining a painful blow to his ankle.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s fixture, Howe admitted the full extent of the injury remains unknown, despite cautiously optimistic early signs. “We hope it is not serious. The extent of the injury is still unknown,” Howe stated in his pre-match press conference. He revealed the club’s medical staff is working around the clock, adding, “He was reasonably positive after the game… we are going to give him every chance for this weekend. We will try and make the right decision with Bruno; he is a pivotal player”.
The timing of the injury presents a significant dilemma for Howe as his side prepares to face a formidable Aston Villa team currently third in the table. Newcastle’s reliance on their captain is starkly illustrated by a daunting statistic: the club has failed to win any of the ten Premier League matches Guimaraes has not started since his debut in 2022.
When asked about this record, Howe acknowledged the midfielder’s unique influence on the pitch. “In terms of working out how to play without him, he is just a very, very good player. A very, very talented footballer. A very creative footballer. Regardless of where he plays, he has the ability to change games,” Howe said.
He emphasised that contingency plans are being drawn up, noting, “Of course, if we’re without him in any game, you have to come up with a solution… We’re trying to figure out all avenues if he isn’t available”.
The club’s long-term priorities are also at the forefront of the decision-making process. With a demanding schedule across the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup, a rushed return for Guimaraes could be counterproductive.
“We will always try to make the right decisions, as we do with every player, depending on need and circumstances, to protect them long-term but also to help the team if they need to play,” Howe explained, underscoring the careful balance between immediate need and player welfare.
The 28-year-old himself is eager to feature, taking to Instagram after the PSV win to say, “Mixed feelings! Happy with the team’s great performance… I hope the injury isn’t too serious and that I can be back on the pitch doing what I love most as soon as possible”.
In a more positive development for Newcastle’s injury-ravaged squad, defender Dan Burn has returned to full training and could make the squad for the Villa match. Burn has been sidelined since mid-December with a punctured lung and broken ribs but participated in full-contact training on Friday.
“Today is possibly the first day he’s training fully with the group and taking contact, and that will be the key thing for him. But he’s desperate to get back involved so that’s a great sign,” Howe confirmed. His potential return would provide a timely boost to a defensive unit missing several key players, including Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento.
The final decision on Guimaraes will likely be a game-time call, dependent on the player’s pain levels and response to final fitness tests. Should he be unavailable, Lewis Miley, who replaced him against PSV and took the captain’s armband, and Joe Willock are the leading candidates to step into midfield.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff at St. James’ Park, all eyes will be on the teamsheet to see if Newcastle’s inspirational captain has won his race against time.