Newcastle United are struggling on the fitness front.
Indeed, Eddie Howe was not even able to fill his bench during the Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund last week, while the likes of Lewis Miley and Ben Parkinson had to play during the loss to Bournemouth.
Though no one at Newcastle will be making excuses for their performance on the south coast, the sheer number of injuries Howe is having to contend with is frankly ridiculous.
Another notable absence at Bournemouth was Bruno Guimaraes.
Suspended for the game, Newcastle continued their awful record without him, having not won any of the eight Premier League games he hasn’t started since joining the club in 2022.
With that in mind, it would be nice to wrap him up in cotton wool during the international break with Brazil.
Bruno Guimaraes: Newcastle star posts cryptic message after missing Bournemouth game
So then, it was particularly scary to read a cryptic message the Brazilian posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The midfielder’s message contained three emojis. An ankle, a fire and an anger symbol.
Perhaps nothing to worry about of course but Newcastle were believed to know Guimaraes was playing at points last season while carrying an ankle injury.
Bruno Guimaraes: Newcastle’s season rests on his fitness
Of all the midfielders in Howe’s squad, there is simply no one like Guimaraes.
With Sandro Tonali suspended until August, Miley is perhaps the only other player who could operate in the deep-lying position Guimaraes occupies.
Having failed to win a League game without him starting in almost two years, his importance to the cause simply cannot be overstated.
Any injury or even a suspension would be a huge blow for Newcastle, who already sit six points behind the top four and face a fight to progress from their Champions League group.
Fingers crossed he doesn’t pick up a knock while away with Brazil…
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