Newcastle United v Bournemouth team news: The Magpies are back in Premier League action at St James’ Park this afternoon.
The Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury back in February but is now back with the side and back in the starting line-up for Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash.
But there was one notable omission from the matchday squad with Anthony Gordon out of the squad entirely. Joelinton also misses out as he serves the first match of his two-game suspension following his 10th booking of the season in the defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Cherries, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe strongly hinted at Guimaraes’ potential involvement.
“Yes, there is a chance,” Howe explained. “We've seen him in training. He's pushing really, really hard to be back involved.
“I think 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.
“I love that about Bruno. He always has done. He's desperate to help the team, especially in this moment, so I'll make a decision based on what I see today in training, but there's a possibility.”
Newcastle have won just two Premier League matches Guimaraes has missed since he arrived at the club from Lyon in January 2022. The 1-0 win away at Chelsea and 2-1 win over Manchester United last month are the only two wins from the 18 games he’s missed since joining the club.
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Anthony Gordon out
Guimaraes is still Newcastle’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals but his return is countered by the absence of Gordon, who is the club’s top scorer in all competitions this season with 17. While the winger’s absence is claimed to be fitness-related, it comes after Howe’s pre-match press conference comments in which he said he would only play players fully committed to the club.
“I think the biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training because I think if I see the commitment to the training ground work, the player will perform,” Howe said.
“That will be the same with Anthony. That will be the same with every player. One thing I'm not going to do is play a player, any player, if I don't feel they're 100 per cent committed to the club and to its future. Because that commitment, that resolve, what the player gives the team has to be total.”
Newcastle United confirmed XI
NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Ramsey, Elanga, Barnes, Osula.
SUBS: Pope, Trippier, Wissa, J.Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, A.Murphy, Bruno.
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