The Newcastle United captain has been a significant miss for the club, who sit 12th in the Premier League with seven games left to play
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes could soon be available for Newcastle United after injury and illness(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
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Bruno Guimaraes appears to be edging closer to a return for Newcastle United after missing 11 games across all competitions. The Brazilian was also struck down by mumps last month, a highly infectious illness that forced him into isolation for a period.
He began feeling unwell after returning from Champions League tie against Barcelona, noticing swelling in his face. A hamstring injury had already ruled him out of Brazil's friendlies against France and Croatia, restricting his involvement since the meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on February 10.
Guimaraes had been working his way back from that injury and even travelled with Eddie Howe's squad for the Champions League round‑of‑16 clash in Barcelona.
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After almost three months on the sidelines, the 28‑year‑old now looks closer to a return.
Taking to Instagram on Easter Monday, the midfielder posted a picture of himself in boots, indicating he could have been back out on the grass and training again.
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes
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Last month, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confirmed he was working hard to get the midfielder back fit.
"He has been working incredibly hard on his recovery," he said. "I'd like to think that, by the time the international break has ended, he will be back ready for us."
Guimaraes travelled to Brazil during the break to complete the first stage of his rehabilitation but is now back on Tyneside.
Despite missing out on an international call-up by Carlo Ancelotti, he is still expected to feature at the World Cup this summer.
Away from the pitch, the former Lyon midfielder has still found himself in the headlines, with speculation intensifying over a potential move amid links to Manchester United.
Guimaraes is seen as a possible departure if Newcastle fail to secure Champions League football, with the club currently 12 points adrift of the top four.
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Howe shot down any talk of a move, saying: "I don't even know how to respond to that. I don't even think I should because it's a waste of my energy. I'm not going to be impolite because I don't think it's the forum to do that in. For me it's a nonsense story.
"Bruno's our captain, he's fully committed. He's injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness. For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.
"To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else. He is totally committed here."