Newcastle United are preparing for an extended spell without their captain
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes shows his frustation at Wolves
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes is out until April(Image: PA)
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Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes could miss a total of 11 games for the club after it was confirmed his hamstring injury will keep him on the sidelines for around eight weeks.
There is confidence in the Brazilian's camp that he can make a swift return to action, but with a comeback not expected until Apriil, it is likely that he will miss all the games in February and March.
The international break at the end of March at least gives him an extra week to recover, while he could miss a 12th game should United continue in the FA Cup.
They face Aston Villa this evening in the first game after the news of his injury, but a win at Villa Park would mean a fifth-round tie in March during his recovery period.
The quarter-finals take place on the weekend of April 4, so it would be touch and go whether the skipper was available by then, should Newcastle still be in the competition.
He will certainly miss the Champions League play-off with Qarabag this month, and the potential last-16 tie against either Chelsea or Barcelona, should United get past the Azerbaijan outfit over two legs.
United will be confident of progressing, especially if they can get a positive result in Baku on Wednesday evening.
In the Premier League, there are testing games against both Manchester City and United to come, while the derby-day clash with rivals Sunderland on March 22 looks to be out of reach as things stand.
If all goes to plan, he could be back in action for the game against Crystal Palace at Selhurt Park on April 11, but a lot can happen between now and then.
Of course United have not won in the league without their skipper since he arrived from Lyon in 2022.
It's a stat which simpy has to change quickly if Newcastle are to maintain their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.
Newcastle Untied game Bruno Guimaraes could miss
Aston Villa (A), FA Cup, today
Qarabag (A), Champions League, February 18
Manchester City (A), Premier League, February 21
Qarabag (H), Champions League, February 24
Everton (H), Premier League, February 28
Manchester United (H), Premier League, March 4
FA Cup fifth round, March 7
Chelsea or Barcelona (H), Champions League, March 10/11*
Chelsea (A), Premier League, March 14
Chelsea or Barcelona (A), Champions League, March 17/18*
Sunderland (H), Premier League, March 22
*Should Newcastle beat Qarabag over two legs
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