Howe provides encouraging update on Guimaraes injury ahead of Aston Villa | OneFootball

Eddie Howe is not ruling Bruno Guimaraes out of Sunday’s game against Aston Villa.

That is despite the Brazilian midfielder being forced off with an ankle injury in the Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Howe says the true extent of the injury is not known yet but that there is hope it is not serious.

“With Bruno, we hope it’s not serious,” Howe said.

“The extent of the injury is still unknown, but he was reasonably positive after the game.

“Speaking to him again, he’s a guy that will never rule anything out so we’re going to give him every chance for this weekend and let’s see.

Asked how Newcastle can cope without Guimaraes should he miss the game, Howe responded: “In terms of working out how to play without him, he is just a very, very good player.

“Very, very talented footballer, very creative footballer. Regardless of where he plays, he has the ability to change games.

“Of course if we’re without him in any game you have to come up with a solution, you have to come up with an alternative way of either selecting your team or way of playing.

“We’ll try and figure out all avenues if he isn’t available but we hope he can make it.”

Defender Dan Burn has also been back in full contact training ahead of the game and could return this weekend.