Newcastle Captain Bruno Guimaraes Poised for Return After Two-Month Injury Absence

Guimaraes, currently Newcastle’s leading scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals, has been eager to make a swift return, according to Howe’s comments to the media on Friday.

“The medical staff are trying to manage his comeback … I say manage because there’s always that pull when a player is so keen to get back on the pitch, and I truly appreciate that about Bruno,” the manager remarked.

“I’ll make a decision based on what I observe in training today, but there’s certainly a chance he could feature.”

The Brazilian midfielder played a pivotal part for his national team during the World Cup qualifiers, but his injury prevented him from participating in this year’s friendlies against France and Croatia in preparation for the tournament commencing in June.

Despite his absence, the 28-year-old’s impressive form prior to his injury has led to media speculation regarding a potential move to clubs such as Real Madrid or Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s England forward Anthony Gordon, who has found the net 10 times in the Champions League this season, has also attracted interest from various clubs, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

However, Howe expressed his desire for players to remain fully committed to the club and its vision despite the ongoing transfer speculation.

“The most important quality I look for is commitment during training … I won’t select a player unless I feel they are entirely devoted to the club and its future. I’m not singling out Anthony; I’m speaking broadly,” he explained.

“When you have high-profile players, like those we have here, they tend to be in the headlines for many reasons.

“That’s part of the job. You need to adapt and understand it while aiming to perform at your highest level amid the surrounding noise.

“I don’t believe anyone reaches this level without the capacity to manage that. Players can’t use external factors as excuses for subpar performances. The lads within the team certainly aren’t doing that.”