Newcastle United could receive a boost from the return of captain Bruno Guimaraes after a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, manager Eddie Howe said.
Guimaraes, who is Newcastle’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals, has been trying to get back as quickly as possible, Howe told reporters on Friday.
“The medical team are trying to hold him back… I say hold him back, there’s always that tug because the player is desperate to play and I love that with Bruno,” the manager said. «I will make a decision based on what I see in training today, but there is a chance.»
Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes played a key role for his country in the World Cup qualifiers, and the injury saw him miss this year’s friendlies against France and Croatia ahead of the tournament starting in June.
However, the 28-year-old’s form before his injury has led to media speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid or Manchester United in the final season.
Newcastle England striker Anthony Gordon, who has scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season, has also been linked with several clubs including Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal.
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But Howe said he wanted players to be fully committed to the club and Newcastle’s future, despite the transfer talks surrounding them.
«The biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training. I won’t play a player if I don’t think he is 100% committed to the club and his future. I’m not talking about Anthony here, I’m talking generally across the board,» he said.
“When they have a lot of fame, like the ones we have here, they are constantly in the news for a lot of different reasons.
“It comes with the territory. You have to adjust to it and adapt to it, you have to understand it, and try to play at your best level with the noise around you.
«I don’t think you reach this level without the opportunity to do that. I don’t think any player can use that as an excuse for lower performance. The boys internally don’t.»
Published on April 17, 2026
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