Howe confirms ‘massive blow’ for Newcastle and explains duo’s absence in FA Cup win | OneFootball

Eddie Howe says losing Bruno Guimaraes for a couple of months to a hamstring injury is a “massive blow”.

The Newcastle midfielder picked up the injury in the win over Tottenham and is not set to return until at least the end of March.

“I think it will be a couple of months,” Howe said.

“We’re probably looking at the end of the international break in March for his return.

“Massive blow for us at a key stage of the season. He’s devastated. But it is what it is, we can’t do anything about it. We have to get him back safely and other players have to step up in his absence.”

Newcastle were victorious without their captain in the FA Cup fourth round, beating Aston Villa 3-1 thanks to a double from Sandro Tonali and goal from Nick Woltemade, with Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot sent off in the first half.

But duo Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa also missed the victory and providing an update on the pair, Howe said: “We’re not 100% sure on both. Sven is feeling his back from the game against Tottenham.

“We don’t think it’s a serious injury and he certainly won’t be out for any period of time. But it was the right decision not to let him travel today.

“Yoane picked up a knock in training yesterday. Again, I don’t think it’s serious but he may miss a couple of games. Let’s wait and see.”

On the win over Villa, Howe said: “It felt like one of those days where is it going to happen? But that’s where the players did really well, especially 11 v 10. It’s not as easy as people think to break down a stubborn defence.”