Bruno Guimaraes should be expected to start on Friday night at St. James’ Park if Joe Willock does not prove fit enough to feature.
This is according to Sky Sports reporter for the Tyneside club, Keith Downie, who was speaking to This Is Futbol ahead of the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Do you want Bruno to start on Friday?
Yes
No
It has been a difficult last few games in the Premier League for Eddie Howe’s side who have now lost all of their last three outings after an impressive run.
However, there was one slight positive to take from their recent defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur with the Brazilian midfielder looking bright in his second-half cameo.
With Willock believed to be a doubt for the game on Friday night, Downie feels the Brazilian could be set to be the direct replacement for the former Arsenal midfielder:
“I think Bruno Guimaraes was probably unlucky to be left out against Spurs at the weekend. I think the only reason he was is he’d come back off of a late flight he didn’t get back until Friday into the country,” said Downie.
“And I think he [Howe] just went with the players who were a little bit fresher to start that match.
“So I would expect, if Willock doesn’t make it, I would expect Bruno to come in for a like to like replacement.”
TIF Thoughts on Downie’s comments…
We think this will be exactly what the Newcastle fans want to hear ahead of a big game with their January signing having been forced to wait patiently for his opportunity.
Out of the nine games in the Premier League, since the 24-year-old arrived, he has only made the starting XI on three occasions and found the back of the net in one of them (via Transfermarkt).
Given he was the biggest purchase from a busy January window, we think the Toon fans would have wished to see him start more frequently ahead of the likes of Willock.
And if he is to start on Friday then it will be a big opportunity to prove his worth in a potentially huge game amid their ongoing battle against the drop.
In other news: ‘You speak to any player’ – Keith Downie reveals 25 y/o being raved about behind-scenes at NUFC