Newcastle United’s training session before Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao was certainly interesting.
Eddie Howe’s side had to dust themselves down following Sunday’s dismal Premier League loss away at West Ham at the Newcastle United training ground.
The Champions League has been much more productive than the Premier League for Newcastle United this season.
Indeed, they have won two of their opening three games and progress from the first phase of the competition looks like a realistic possibility.
Three points at home against the Basque side might not answer all of their critics but it would at least lift the mood somewhat in the short-term.
Here are three things we learned.
Tino Livramento stepping up return from injury
Tino Livramento’s knee injury has kept him out of the side since the start of October. While Kieran Trippier has performed well in his absence, there’s little doubt that Howe’s side are missing the England international.
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Livramento is certainly in the argument to be considered Newcastle’s best player, so it was promising to see him continuing his recovery at Darsley Park by stepping out onto the pitches with some of the coaching staff.
Luckily for Newcastle, Livramento is expected to return from injury in late November, with the clash against Manchester City after the international break tentatively pencilled in as his return date.
Trippier was also back in full training for Newcastle ahead of the game.
Bruno Guimaraes blow confirmed
Bruno Guimaraes, however, was not pictured in training ahead of the game.
Guimaraes is suffering from illness, which is why Sandro Tonali remained on the bench for last month’s win against Benfica. Trippier, meanwhile, could not play against West Ham for a similar reason.
Newcastle have generally struggled without Guimaraes since he joined the club, such is his importance to the cause.
Speaking after the news about the Brazilian missing training broke, Howe confirmed that the midfielder was yet to train and could therefore be a doubt for the game.
Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimarães:
"There's been a bit of illness going through the squad, that's various players that have picked something up. Sandro initially, Jacob Murphy, Kieran Trippier and now Bruno. We're making a decision on Bruno tomorrow. He's such an important player… pic.twitter.com/31RJUlAm4b
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) November 4, 2025
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Relief for Dan Burn at last
Lewis Hall was in the squad for Sunday’s loss at West Ham but Howe did not turn to him. That is understandable, particularly given the defender’s injury problems of late.
Still, the fact that both Hall and Alex Murphy were part of the training session is good news for Howe and Dan Burn.
Lewis Hall in training this morning.
Kieran Trippier also back involved after illness.
🇮🇪Alex Murphy also part of the group.
Options at left-back, but Dan Burn likely to keep his place v Athletic Bilbao. pic.twitter.com/zrRr5e3fo4
— Dominic Scurr (@DomScurr) November 4, 2025
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Burn hasn’t always looked comfortable at left-back this season and while he has broadly done a good job, there is a slight weakness there.
Asking a 33-year-old central defender to play left-back every three or four days is hardly ideal. Thankfully, there are options available to act as cover and competition again.
Now, Howe must decide whether to stick or twist.