Newcastle United team news v Chelsea: Eddie Howe has issued a major update on Bruno Guimaraes after a month out injured.
The Magpies face Barcelona at Camp Nou next Wednesday after drawing 1-1 at St James’ Park on Tuesday evening.
Guimaraes has been out for a month with a hamstring injury suffered at Tottenham Hotspur and was given a rough two month return timeframe.
Bruno Guimaraes update issued by Eddie Howe
The Newcastle captain has been over in Brazil working with the Brazil national team medical staff to work on the initial phase of his recovery. But now he is set to return to Newcastle next Monday to support the side for their crucial Champions League last-16 clash.
“He's back on Monday,” Howe said. “I think his plan, typical Bruno, he wants to come to Barcelona and support the team.
“We hope that he won't be too far away. Once he's back with us, we'll obviously have to assess him.
“I know he's been working incredibly hard on his rehab with the Brazilian national team, physios and doctors.
“So, I think he'll be in a good place. Yes, and he's such a big player. So, I'd love to think by the time the international break has ended, he'll be back fit and available.”
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Bruno Guimaraes return date
Reports from Brazil claimed Guimaraes would be out for up to 10 weeks with his hamstring injury though Howe’s comments suggest he could be back available in around eight weeks. With the Crystal Palace Premier League trip after the international break on April 11 or 12 (depending on European results) a target.
Should Newcastle beat Barcelona next week, there will be a Champions League quarter-final for Guimaraes to target on April 7/8.
Next up, Newcastle face Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off), with no injured players set to return.
Guimaraes, Fabian Schar, Lewis Miley and Emil Krafth are all out injured for Newcastle amid the busy fixture schedule.
When asked if there would be any players back, Howe said: “No, I don’t think so. Pretty much [team as Barcelona].”
Anthony Gordon was suffering with illness ahead of the Barcelona match but is expected to be available to start at Chelsea having trained ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
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