Howe will be without a key playerplaceholder image
Howe will be without a key player | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United have been handed a blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea and potential Champions League clashes.
Chelsea already know they will face either PSG or Newcastle United in the Champions League Round of 16, and the draw will decide which of those ties will take place on Friday..
Given Chelsea are already playing Newcastle and could play them up to three times in the next few weeks, Blues fans will be keeping an eye on what happens at St James’ Park. And there has already been a significant injury blow for the North-East side.
That’s because key midfielder Bruno Guimaraes suffered an injury recently at Tottenham, and he is now set to be out for a stretch. In fact, the Brazilian has jetted back to his home country to undergo treatment, and ESPN say he has been receiving treatment at Botafogo’s facilities.
Guimaraes is now set to be out until after the international break, which is at the end of March, and he will be targeting a return in April, both to end the season and get fit for this summer’s World Cup.
That means the midfielder will not only miss the Chelsea Premier League clash, but he will miss the entire Round of 16 in the Champions League, which will be played across March 10/11 and March 17/18.
The interesting aspect is that if Chelsea do draw Newcastle, the teams will play three times on the bounce with no other games between the three. That would certainly add another layer of intrigue, but Guimaraes will not be involved.
Continue Reading