Newcastle sweat on Bruno Guimaraes fitness for Aston Villa and PSG | OneFootball

Newcastle are facing an anxious wait over captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has a right ankle problem, before Aston Villa on Sunday at 15:00 and the Champions League trip to PSG on Wednesday. His availability for either fixture is uncertain. The PSG meeting will guarantee the winner a place in the top eight, with Newcastle seventh and PSG sixth.

According to L'Équipe, Eddie Howe was immediately asked about Guimaraes at Friday morning’s press conference. The Brazilian limped off just before half-time in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park, having told team-mates the pain was severe.

Howe said the hope is that the issue is not too serious, though the full extent remains unclear. Guimaraes felt more positive after the game, but the manager stressed he must be fully fit and that the club will take a long-term view.

Those close to the player were similarly cautious, noting that physiotherapy has begun and progress will be monitored.

Since arriving in 2022, Guimaraes has missed only eight Premier League matches, and Newcastle, eighth, failed to win any of them, recording four draws and four defeats.

This season the 28-year-old leads the club in league goals with eight, as well as tackles with 31 and chances created with 32.

By Friday night the leaning was to rest him against Aston Villa, hoping he could recover for PSG. In that case, academy graduate Lewis Miley, 19, would start with Joelinton and Sandro Tonali in midfield.

Source: L'Équipe