Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is substituted from the pitch
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is substituted from the pitch
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe feels that Bruno Guimaraes has "a chance" of facing Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Brazil international will be assessed at Benton today after coming off early with a glute injury in the 2-0 defeat against West Ham on Monday night at St James' Park. Since then Bruno has not been pictured in training although Joe Willock, who retired early against the Hammers to, has been involved in the preparations for Palace.
When asked about Bruno Howe, speaking at his pre-match press conference, told Chronicle Live: "Physically he felt a muscle problem but fingers crossed he is another one who is improving. They (Bruno and Willock) have a chance to play. They're not serious injuries. We'll make a decision today."
The former Lyon star looked tired against West Ham and made a mistake near the halfway line that eventually resulted in the second goal for the Hammers. When asked if the demands of being skipper of Newcastle and flying around the world playing for Brazil are proving to be a mental strain for the player, Howe said: "Mentally I think Bruno has been really strong. I think he's had a lot to cope with.
"Never underestimate the impact of playing for a country like Brazil. For any athlete there is intense pressure, a lot of travel. And then he comes back here where he is captain which is also a big demand on him but I think he has relished that. It has been slightly different for him so there has been a period of adjustment.
"Games like Monday are a great test of his leadership and a great test of his resilience and to not just think of yourself and not just think of the group. Really good challenges for Bruno."
Elaborating, on Willock's issue, Howe said: "Joe took a bang, a nasty whack trying to block a shot just above the ankle, so he lost a little bit of feeling in his leg, it went a bit numb for a while. But it looks like he has improved quickly."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Lewis Miley will be in action for the second string against Crystal Palace this evening at Whitley Park (7pm). That suggests he won't be in the squad for the trip to Palace with Howe hoping that he does not have to contemplate replacing the Brazil star or Willock.
Howe wanted to move on from West Ham, but said briefly of the defeat: *"*I thought it was a disjointed last half an hour. The first 60 minutes were pretty good. I had no complaints with the performance but with the chances we didn't take."
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