Newcastle United midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock have both avoided serious injury but head coach Eddie Howe says the pair are both still doubts for Saturday’s game at Crystal Palace.
Guimaraes limped off after 84 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United with a glute issue, while Willock was substituted at half-time after colliding with Sean Longstaff in his own penalty area.
“Joe took a bang, a nasty whack trying to block a shot just above the ankle, so he lost a little bit of feeling in his leg, it went a bit numb for a while,” said Howe on Friday morning. “But it looks like he has improved quickly.
“Physically, (Guimaraes) felt a muscle problem but fingers crossed he is another one who is improving. They have a chance to play. They’re not serious injuries. We’ll make a decision today.”
Newcastle have not won a Premier League match without Guimaraes since he joined the club in January 2022, while Willock has regained his place in the starting XI in recent weeks after an injury-disrupted 18-month period.
Asked how his side might adapt without the Brazil international in the side, Howe replied: “That’s not a great stat, is it? Hopefully, we don’t have to figure that out (how to play without him).
“I don’t know because he’s in the team so let’s keep him there.”
Newcastle go into Saturday’s game 10th in the Premier League but are just one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in 6th.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
