Guimaraes has been sidelined since suffering a serious hamstring injury in February’s win over Tottenham, missing the Magpies’ last 12 matches in all competitions.
Newcastle have missed their captain’s leadership qualities as well as his drive and energy in midfield, and with Joelinton unavailable tomorrow as he begins a two-match suspension for picking up ten yellow cards, Guimaraes’ return would provide a major boost as Howe looks to turn around his side’s flatlining form.
“There is a chance of Bruno playing,” said the Magpies boss. “We’ve seen him in training and he’s pushing really, really hard to be back involved.
“The medical team are trying to hold him back. I say hold him back, but there’s always that tug because the player wants desperately to play and I love that about Bruno, always have done.
“He’s desperate to help the team, especially in this moment. So, I’ll make a decision based on what I see in training, but there’s a possibility.”
Howe spent more than a decade in charge of Bournemouth during two spells on the south coast, but since moving to St James’ Park, the Cherries have been something of a bogey side for him.
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Howe has not won any of the seven league meetings with Bournemouth he has presided over as Newcastle boss, although the Magpies did claim a penalty shootout victory over the Cherries in the FA Cup earlier this season.
“We obviously haven’t beaten them in the league,” said the Newcastle boss. “But I do agree with things like that [a bogey team], no, I don’t. I just think it’s sequences, it happens.
“They’re a very good team. They’ve gone on a great run in the Premier League recently as well. They’ve got clear strengths. We know what we need to do to win the game.
“We’re going to have to have certain parts of our game where we’re really going to have to function very well. So, we’re under no illusions this is a tough game, but every game in the Premier League’s tough.”
Howe will be tempted to make wholesale changes in the wake of last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Crystal Palace, although Will Osula could retain his place as Newcastle’s central striker ahead of both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Jacob Ramsey is battling with Lewis Miley for a place in midfield, with Howe also having to decide between Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga on the right flank.