Newcastle: Bruno Guimaraes set to be out for two months with injury

Newcastle United Captain Bruno Guimaraes is expected to be out for several months after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Brazilian made only his second appearance since recovering from a separate ankle problem in the closing stages of Tuesday night’s 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Head coach Eddie Howe said Guimaraes was “a little worried at the time because he hadn’t had any problems with his hamstrings before.”

Guimaraes is now set for a long spell on the sidelines, which would be a huge blow to Newcastle.

Newcastle have clearly lost previous matches in which Guimaraes has appeared, including last week’s 3-2 defeat against Brentford.

However, Howe’s side have failed to win any of the 10 Premier League matches the influential Guimaraes has not featured in since his debut in February 2022.

Newcastle, by contrast, have a win percentage of 53.1, with Guimaraes at the top of the table.

They also scored significantly more points per game (1.8), scored more goals per game (1.9) and conceded fewer goals on average (1.2).

But Newcastle will have to find a way to win without their talisman as they embark on a tough run of games, starting with an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey are the only three senior Newcastle midfielders who could move to Villa Park.

However, while Newcastle expect Joelinton to return from his groin injury as soon as possible, the club hopes that Lewis Miley will not be out of action for a long time with an injured leg.